Perspective - March 21, 2021

by Rev. Joan Kessler

Luke 19:1-10

Play to 7:10

I hope this clip gave you some sense of awe and wonder at the vastness of the planet earth we call home. I only just heard of this phenomenon earlier this winter. The idea of looking in a different direction, of a changed perspective, has been tugging at me this week.

I recognize that none of us have made a space shuttle flight into outer space… but I am curious if you have ever had a similar experience… a moment of awe and wonder that took you outside of yourself and gave you a perspective you didn’t even know you were looking for. I have a personal experience that for me is the closest I have come to the Overview Effect. It came to me as I was preparing to return to work for the first time following my maternity after Olivia was born. I was in my car in the driveway, getting ready to back away… and I could see Olivia through the window. It was that moment that took my breath away… I realized that she was her own person apart from me, this precious life. I can’t explain it any other way than it just gave me a profound turn within myself... a view of a bigger picture… words to describe it escape me. My perspective shifted looking through the window.