God’s grace changes the way we see the world.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Okay, so this isn’t the greatest picture. I’ve struggled to capture a White-breasted Nuthatch when it’s busily scampering the bark for bugs. I haven’t seen many of these birds this year, so it was a delight when this bird showed up. Quickly grabbing my ever-present camera, I knew I didn’t have much time to capture this bird. This is the best picture I took and “best” is a relative word.

A characteristic of the Nuthatch is that it often hunts for insects upside-down. It hops along tree trunks vertically and horizontally in quick movements, catching spiders and other bugs off guard.

Paul invites us to see the world from an upside-down position.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” 
Romans 12:2 New Living Translation

In the same way that the Nuthatch doesn’t attack its prey upright like Woodpeckers, so we attack life differently because of God’s activity in our lives. We live life upside-down.

God is the one who transforms our way of thinking. He turns us upside-down. In fact, God turned the world upside-down by entering our bug-filled world of sin and dying that we might live.

Because God has turned us upside-down we see tragedy, pain, and suffering from a new perspective. We hear the word of God which tells us that all things work together for good for those who love God, that is, for those people who are called according to God’s plan (Romans 8:28).

When God turns our world upside-down, it doesn’t mean that the world has changed, but that we see that world from the new perspective of God’s love for us in Jesus.

Lord Jesus Christ, as you turned the world upside-down, change our perspective on life that we might reflect your presence. Amen.

Text and Picture copyright Douglas P Brauner