How You Can Gain a Better Grasp of Reality

Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?

I’ve been to London to visit the Queen.

Pussy cat, pussy cat, what did you there?

I frightened a little mouse, under her chair.

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The kitty cat is standing before the queen. Here she can experience the glistening throne, distinguished royalty, splendorous surroundings, and awe-striking beauty. But what catches the pussy cat’s attention is a little mouse under the queen’s throne which he frightens. That’s what cats do. That’s who they are. They see the world as a place to catch little creatures. That’s not the real world. Yet, it’s the world they know because of who they are.

Why Are There Different Viewpoints? 

Have you ever wrestled with the thought, “Why don’t others see things the way I do?” This can be asked in the context of your marriage, your job, or your relationships. Why do we disagree? Why can’t they see things from my perspective? And why can’t I see things from their viewpoint?

A partial answer to these questions is this:

You don’t see the world as it is; you see it as you are.

Could this explain what Jesus was getting at when he taught: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6.45)? Let me paraphrase: “Out of the abundance of who you are inside you see, hear, perceive, and speak.”

In other words, you see the world out of who you are. And that opens the great probability that you don’t see reality as it is.

This helps you understand how people can observe the same facts and arrive at very different conclusions. Apply this to God. You can’t see the Infinite because you are finite. Or, the Bible – you can’t see its truth because you are blinded by theological suppositions. Or church history – you can’t see its relevance because you don’t “like” history. You can’t see things as they really are due to who you are.

This is a frightening thought to those who believe they know the “real world” or “how things really are.” Much of what people believe to be true is not true at all.

A Great Opportunity 

But this reality also opens up your mind to a new way of seeing. If you don’t see things as they are but as you are, then…

What you are becoming is the most important aspect of your life.

Because, to live more in reality, you must live each day in order to be changed from the inside out. You begin to acknowledge that your current perspective of reality is never completely true. So, you give yourself permission to learn and grow while not having to arrive at certainty.

Gain a better grasp of reality by becoming a different person on the inside. 

Pray this to be true for me as well.

Share your thoughts below. And…share this post with others.

Dr. K