Skyscraper Perspective

The Willis Tower, which is also known as the Sears Tower, is a 108-story skyscraper.
The Skydeck opened in 1974 and is one of the most famous tourist spots in Chicago.
Elevators take visitors to the observation deck in 60 seconds.
The rapid speed, along with the height, causes them to feel the pressure as they rise.
They can actually feel the building sway on a windy Chicago day.

In 2009, renovations were completed on the Skydeck.
This included three retractable glass balconies.
These glass boxes allow visitors to look through the floor to the street 1,353 feet below.
It must be like the visual cliff experiment, which is an apparent but not actual drop from one level to another.

For people who are afraid of heights, the Skydeck may not be a wise choice.
Others, who are not afraid, may love to look across Lake Michigan and see Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin if the day is clear.
Even though a person knows that the glass boxes can hold them, it is still disconcerting to take that leap of faith and step out into nothing.

Oh, to have a skyscraper perspective.
The ability to see above me, below me, around me clearly without any obstacles.
The skyscraper perspective is what God sees.

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed in the boat the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33)

“It is I” in Greek, is really translated, “I AM.”
The I AM was with them.
The I AM never took His eyes off them.
The I AM was praying as their boat was buffeted by the waves.

There is no fear when the I AM is near.

But we forget; Peter forgot.
We look at the circumstances; Peter looked at the waves.
We cry out in desperation; Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!”
The I AM is near; ready to extend His hand and catch us when we call.

Jesus was on the mountainside with a skyscraper perspective.
Jesus saw the whole picture, not because He had the perfect vantage point.
Rather because He is the perfect Son of God.

The skyscraper perspective sees things others do not see.
In the boat, with the wind against you, perspective is limited.
You only see what is in front of you, with its dangers and its unknown.

We need to trust our unknowns to a God who knows.
A God who is the only One with the perfect panoramic perspective.
A God who doesn’t need glass boxes to see all around.
A God who sees without limit, without walls, without obstacles.
“EL ROI”: the Hebrew name for the “God who sees”.

It is a fearful thing to step out into the unknown; to put your feet in tenuous places.
It is difficult to trust that what you are standing on will indeed hold you.
It is difficult, unless you are standing on the Rock.

His eyes are on the ways of men; He sees every step. There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide. (Job 34:21,22)

The Sturdy Rock.
The Solid Ground.
The One with the Skyscraper Perspective.
Trust Him.