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How interesting it would be to sit at a dinner table with US President Donald Trump, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, China President Xi Jin Ping and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. No press present, no recordings. They are free to speak their mind. I wonder what different perspectives would emerge. How do they each in their heart, in their private moments, view their positions of authority and power, and the world events they influence?

Every minute of the day, our brains are analysing our environment and interpreting what we see, hear, feel and smell.

The way we interpret things depends on our worldview, whether we realise it or not. A definition I found helpful is:

A worldview is a comprehensive set of beliefs, values, and assumptions that shape how an individual understands and interprets the world around them, acting as a lens through which they perceive experiences, make decisions, and guide their actions; it’s important because it significantly influences how people navigate life, interact with others, and make sense of their reality.

Many people don’t realise they have a worldview. It kind of creeps up on us. Things that impact the development of our worldview might be the perception of how we were raised by our family, traumatic experiences, teachers, mentors, the loss of a close family member, our religious [or non-religious] experience, how deeply we align with our culture – the list is endless.

Bias in Research Shaped by Worldview

Between 2012 and 2022, Professor Brian Nosek at the University of Virginia shocked scientists, particularly psychologists, by showing many highly respected scientific studies could not be replicated. He noted when he does research, he has a choice about how to analyse the data and what data is reported.  He acknowledges that the researcher’s worldview influences his hypothesis. Whether conscious of it or not, he is more likely to find a way to analyse the data so it produces the results he wants.

An uproar ensued when Professor Nosek invited researchers to submit their projects for replication. The researchers interpreted this as criticism of their methods or outcomes.

What I Believe Matters

When I became a Christian, as a teenager, everything I believed about the world was challenged. I grew up in post-WWII England. The population was shattered by the deprivations and traumas of war. It became each man for himself. I tried my best to stay out of trouble and was totally compliant so as not to cause any further friction.

When I gave my life to Christ, I understood I was saved for eternity, but my deeply embedded thought patterns coloured everything. The lens through which I interpreted life was tainted by rejection, anxiety and a constant need for approval.

Only when I entered into a much deeper personal relationship with Jesus, in my senior years, could I more clearly identify who I was and how I viewed the world. My shock was alleviated because I finally knew that I knew that I knew, I was loved unconditionally by my Saviour. The journey isn’t over. It is a continuous learning process.

Identity Crises

We’re living in an age of identity crises. An already developing situation was exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Many people lost all sense of who they were. Their worldview was interpreted through their work, sporting activities, hobbies, church or family. At the very time we were commanded to wear a mask, our loving heavenly Father was unmasking us. Who are you really if you can’t practice your profession, excel at your sport, or lead your church?

There is endless analysis and publishing of the data. More suicides, more breakdowns, absences from work, marriage breakups, domestic violence, drugs… there is no end to the suffering. We know the problems. Somehow we constantly skirt around the answers.

A Biblical Worldview

A biblical worldview accepts the Word of God as absolute truth. Unlike other worldviews, a biblical worldview provides us with a true understanding of God’s plan for humanity. It recognises that God created the world and has a plan and purpose for every individual. It gives parameters, boundaries, inspiration, wisdom and guidance to adjust our worldview to align with our Grand Designer.

Our Worldview is Crucial

The word ‘crucial’ comes from the Latin word for ‘cross’. Originally a medical term used for the ligaments of the knee that cross over to enable movement. We have adopted the term to mean extremely important or critical.

How awesome that the most important lens through which we view the world should be the Cross. Even more amazing is the structure of our innermost cells, as explained by Louie Giglio:

The cross is at the very centre of every cell of our bodies, strategically placed there by our Master Designer.

Colossians 1:17 reminds us:

He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together.

Change Your Focus, Change Your Life

When Jesus came in the flesh, as our Messiah, He showed by His life, the true character of God. Jesus exemplified compassion, kindness, goodness, forgiveness, grace, mercy and justice – and above all love. He sought out the broken, the lonely, the disillusioned, the sick, even the criminal, to offer his transformational, unconditional love. Ultimately, He gave His life as a ransom for our sins so we could be reconciled to our Holy God.

As the beautiful song by Helen Howarth Lemmel encourages us:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

As we enter into the New Year, with school returning, elections looming, and challenges everywhere, let’s invite the Holy Spirit to adjust our lens, heal our memories, and free us from our past blurred vision, to see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, and follow Him more nearly – day by day.

And as you do, pray for all our world leaders that they, too, might adjust their worldview to align with Jesus before He returns, when there will be no second chance.

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Image courtesy of Adobe.