BE POSITIVE!

A shoe company in America sent two salesmen to an emerging, foreign country that was developing and moving into the twentieth century. The shoe manufacturer wanted to expand their market.

One of the salesmen returned home within two weeks. He was discouraged, giving up and complaining, "You stupid guys sent me to a country where no one wears shoes!"

The other salesman stayed behind. He was not heard from for several weeks. Then a large package arrived crammed with orders for shoes of all sizes, types and shapes. Included in this box of bulging orders was a hastily scrawled note that said, "Send me more order blanks! All the people here are barefoot, and everyone is a prospective customer!"

Perception is a tricky matter. In fact, it can be most illusive at times. Look at a glass of water that is exactly level at the middle. Will you describe it is being half-empty or half-full? It doesn't change the level of the water in the glass, but it does have a lot to do with your perspective.

Pull into a strange town or city and stop someone to ask directions to a particular destination. Invariably they will tell you, "Go the third stoplight and turn left..." or something like that. Why not say, "Proceed to the first go light and ..." Stop lights spend as much time giving us the green light as they do displaying the red light. Why not call them "go lights?"

Listen to the next weather report on radio or television. The announcer will say, "Today is partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain." He could just as easily say,"Today is partly sunny with a 70 percent chance of rain."

Do we see our communities as being so wicked that people are not interested in the message of the church? Or do we see them as so needy, that they are waiting anxiously to be introduced to Jesus Christ?

Our perception of things can make us or break us. Jesus challenged the outlook of the disciples when He said, "Stop saying there are four months until harvest. Look on the fields, they are white already for harvest." Take another look at your situation. If it will not change, perhaps we have to change our way of looking at it. Did the cross of Jesus change, (Father, if this cup can pass let it pass.) No, Jesus did! (But if it be Your will, Your will be done!)

Someone said that 90% of our difficulties are a matter of attitude. Attitudes can be changed. If we change our attitude, in a sense, we've changed the situation because we look at it differently. Try it! You'll like it!

"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why do you groan within me? Wait for God, whom I shall praise again, my savior and my God." - Ps 43:5

PRAYER

"Lord, make me a channel of your grace and healing love that others may find life and freedom in you. Free me from all other attachments that I may joyfully pursue the things of heaven. May I witness the joy of the gospel both in word and deed."