Perception: We Do Not See Things the Way They Are
How We See: The Way We Are
I love the variety of conversations and viewpoints I get to hear each week. I’m consistently reminded of a quote that was drilled into my head for years while participating in Built To Lead training with Chet Scott:
“We do not see things the way they are, we see things the way we are.”
Ain’t that the truth.
Today, I heard a speaker present an issue that he believes permeates our world—a gap or divide between leaders who work within the church and leaders in the business world who attend them. Many of the viewpoints he shared were, in my opinion, correct about the common differences in the ways we operate. Certain formalities in business do not always translate to formal ministry roles. However, some points were delivered as absolute truths that create obstacles, but I did not find them to be universally true in my experience. This is the highlight of today’s reflection: Our experiences shape us and often create the lens through which we view life.
Perception is a tricky thing. It not only helps us decide on our actions, but it also influences how we reflect and form judgments regarding our outcomes. We must learn to perceive wisely, or we risk believing that our individual experience and sight are the only correct perspectives.
Let’s take an example from Jesus that shows us that what we see is not always the entire picture.
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
The story of Jesus feeding the five thousand is one of the most powerful examples of how God’s perspective on provision differs from ours. It appears in all four Gospels, emphasizing its importance.
The Human Perspective: Scarcity and Limitations
Jesus and His disciples had been ministering to a massive crowd, and as the day wore on, the disciples became concerned. They saw:
A huge crowd of over five thousand men, plus women and children—possibly 15,000-20,000 people total.
Limited resources—only five loaves and two fish (John 6:9).
A remote location where food couldn’t be easily obtained (Matthew 14:15).
A logical solution—send the people away so they could buy their own food (Mark 6:36).
From a human standpoint, the problem was overwhelming. They saw lack rather than abundance, difficulty rather than opportunity.
Jesus’ Perspective: Abundance Through Faith
Instead of being overwhelmed, Jesus saw God’s provision rather than human limitation. His response teaches us several key lessons:
Bring What You Have to God (Even If It Seems Small)
The disciples focused on what they lacked, but Jesus asked them, “What do you have?” (Mark 6:38).
They brought five loaves and two fish—an insignificant meal for thousands.
Lesson: We often focus on our limitations, but God asks us to bring what we do have, no matter how small.
Trust in God's Provision, Not Human Reasoning
Jesus took the food, gave thanks, and broke it (John 6:11).
He didn’t focus on how little it was—He trusted the Father for multiplication.
Lesson: Instead of doubting, we should thank God in advance and trust that He will provide.
God Provides More Than Enough
As Jesus distributed the food, everyone ate and was satisfied (Matthew 14:20).
Not only was there enough—there were 12 baskets of leftovers!
Lesson: God’s provision is more than enough; He doesn’t just meet our needs, He exceeds them.
As leaders in either business or formal ministry, we need to remember that God's view is the lens through which we should aim to see. Our plans should align with His plans. Our vision should take us down the road He has prepared for us. The provision to carry out His plans will indeed come if we are consistently in step with His Spirit. Our unique gifts and strengths will be utilized when the time is right for our part to be played.
As we end the week and reflect, ask God to allow you to see things from His lens.
“We do not see things the way they are, we see things the way WE are.”
But God sees perfectly—let’s seek His vantage point as we continue to pursue the missions to which we’ve been called.
-Mark
