If you grew up singing the old hymns of the church, then you remember two of my favorites: Blessed Assurance and To God be the Glory. These two hymns, filled with deep theology, were written by Fanny Crosby. Her journey to becoming a prolific hymnist, though, is quite amazing. Fanny became blind as an infant. Throughout her long life, she played several instruments – the piano, the harp, the guitar and the organ. She also wrote over 9,000 hymns. Fanny was once quoted as saying, “If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind…for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Savior.”  I would say that Fanny Crosby lived with a heavenly perspective.

The way we regard situations, good or bad, is what we call perspective. Of course, it’s easy to have a good perspective when things are going well – when everything is hunky dory. But that perspective can quickly change the moment things take a downward spiral. It’s important to note that our perspective determines how we deal with heartache, brokenness, and suffering. And the outcome to those things can surely be a direct result of our perspective.

The apostle Paul, like Fanny Crosby, lived with a heavenly perspective. He writes: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:20-21). 

Based on these words, here are three ways we can have a heavenly perspective:

1. Expect God’s outcome!

Paul is clear on one thing: no matter what happened, he would find joy in God’s outcome. Rather than shake his fist in God’s face and complain that his circumstances were not favorable, he believed God would use them for His glory.

And God did use Paul’s circumstances for His glory! His anointed writings have been included in the archives of Scripture. His letters have become some of the most valued doctrine in the church. In fact, one third of the New Testament was written by Paul. Paul expected God’s outcome, not his own.

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2. Exist on Christ!

We exist on many things: food, water, people, work, church, ministry, material things, and seeking to live a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes those things are at the core of our existence, whether we want to admit it or not. Paul sets a powerful example for us, though. He lived to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, imitate Christ, and pursue the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Paul willingly gave up everything that prevented him from gaining Christ. The persecutor-turned-preacher simply existed for Christ. Imagine that homecoming. I dream of the day I see Jesus. I know that my homecoming, and yours too, will be so much grander if we choose our existence for Christ just like Paul did.

3. Have an eternal focus!

Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). 

You know the adage, “I’m just passing through!” Well, it’s true. In the first century, Christian persecution was growing. Believers could be tortured or killed in unbelievable ways. Paul knew that. Yet, he wasn’t afraid to die. In fact, he couldn’t wait to get to his eternal home. As Paul got older, the thoughts of heaven got sweeter.

When Paul’s struggles zapped his energy, the persecuted saints weighed heavy on his heart, and he felt the burden of the problems in the church; his mind traveled to another place – a place of promise. Jesus promised to take him to this place – a place where tears and disgrace would be erased, the glory of God would be manifested, and temptation to sin would be absent. Surely, death was gaining to him.

Having a heavenly perspective is the best way to live. And Paul shows us how to do it.

Pass this on because someone needs this reminder today.

Blessings,