Rose-Colored Glasses

Probably the most important item to pack when you go to the mission field—besides your Bible—is a pair of rose-tinted glasses. You’ll need them!

In my years of being a missionary, I’ve been able to see lots of things. Some are very nice, and some are just awful. On any field, you can see a lot of sin. When we gaze at it with regular, clear glasses on, we see its ugliness. We see the sinners, too. We’ll begin to realize that sin is rampant in our country, and that all the people indulge in it. We’ll start to see everything as black—or at best, charcoal gray.

So, we need to put on our rosy glasses. Voilà! All of a sudden, we can see people as the lovely human beings they are. We have compassion on those trapped in sins and we have hope. We see the possibilities. We quit looking at specific sins and start to see souls. We want to share Christ. We become joyful.

On the mission field, because we come from home countries of comfort and Christianity, we have a real problem when we use clear glasses. We need to don our pair of rose-tinted ones—the same color as the heart. We need to see our field and our people as God sees them.

Of course, you understand I’m using glasses metaphorically. They are the lenses through which we perceive the world. It is so important to train ourselves to look for the good on our mission field. Why? Simply because the Lord wants us to think that way. Consider Philippians 4:8. (You’ve probably got it memorized.) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. I think most of us have forgotten this verse from time to time. We start thinking about criticisms (of good report???) and moral deficiencies (pure?? virtue??). We dwell on unfairness (honest?? just??) and on lies people tell (true??). Are we going around looking for the lovely and good? (Hint: become a photographer.) Are we actively seeking something for which to praise God?

Oops! We have those clear glasses on!

In every culture, there are prevalent sins. In Spain, common sins would include: lying, cheating, gluttony, jealousy, drunkenness, rampant porn use, revenge, an unforgiving spirit, holding grudges, arguing, amorality, and disinterest in God. But, that doesn’t mean we throw up our hands and give up. That doesn’t mean there’s no good here. That doesn’t mean the people aren’t lovely and loveable. They are! Some of the real positives in this culture include: friendliness, warmth, loyalty to friends, families that stick together, delicious food, a sense of time and purpose, valuing history, the preservation of architecture, art, and culture. I could go on and on.

Putting on rose-colored glasses helps me look for the good. My glasses help me to dwell on the positives. I begin to direct my thoughts in a more godly way.

When Jesus looked at the multitudes—and at individuals—what did He see? He saw souls. No one, not even lepers, were disgusting to Him. He touched them. He cared. He healed. When he met up with sinners, He offered to meet their needs. Some refused Him. Even His own half-brothers put Him off. But, many believed. I think Jesus looked at people in a very different way than we do. I think we all have a long way to go in learning Christ-like compassion.

Can you imagine the Creator of the universe walking around on the earth he’d made—by speaking it into being? Can you imagine what Jesus thought when He looked up into the stars at night? What went through His mind? He remembered the Great Flood. He was there, orchestrating the whole thing. He remembered Sodom and Gomorrah. He was there, too. He knew everything about every thing. He actually made rocks, hills, animals, and seashells. He planted the plants.

Jesus could read hearts and minds. We only have to read a little part of the Gospels to witness quite a few “How did you know that?” moments—beginning when Jesus was twelve. Indeed—and this is impossible to comprehend—while Jesus was walking on earth and getting His feet dusty and interacting with men, He was also inhabiting every part of the universe.

There’s an interesting verse in 2 Corinthians 10:5, Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. What a concept! We need to get rid of anything in our heads that’s against knowing God. Throw it in the trashcan. We also bring into captivity every single thought so that we’re obeying Christ. When I think of capture, I think of corralling, tying it up, and making it do what I want it to do. That’s what we’re supposed to do with our thoughts! A negative thought or attitude shows up in our mind. What do we do? Tie it up and throw it away. That’s biblical! How do we think right thoughts? We forcibly bring them into conformity with godliness. We make them obey Christ. This is powerful.

What really bugs you on your field? What do you hate? What characteristics of the natives really burn you up? Take those thoughts and throw them away. Ask the Lord to help you bring your thoughts into obedience. Cultivate a Philippians 4:8 mentality. Look for the good and beautiful, and …

 don’t forget to wear your rosy glasses!

God bless you!