A sly ol' Scot once said, "Don't judge a man until you walk a mile in his shoes. After that, who cares? He's a mile away and you've got his shoes."

Different perspectives-how people, events and situations are perceived, compared and judged-lead to different views. One man's thief is another's opportunist. Foolish to some is trusting to others.

I thought about this the other day after watching the news and reading articles about violence in the Middle East. Various positions were given on what was right or wrong, but there was something common to them all: The truth they offered depended entirely on personal perspective.

Some claimed to follow world views; others, religious ones: Western, European, Asian, Arab, Islamic, Christian. A man blows himself up in an Iraqi market, killing men, women and children. Crazed fanatic or devout follower? Political zealot or manipulated agent? Murderer or hero? And it can get even more complicated. For example...

Men claiming devotion to their faith kill those who disagree with them. Some lead in their cause while many simply send others to die in their place. Prisoners are tortured, dragged through the streets, and chopped into pieces. Others are hanged, impaled or burned alive.

The news tells us this occurs throughout the world. We react in horror to such stories, quickly hating those we're told are political terrorists or religious extremists. Yet what I just described is not from today, but from hundreds of years ago. These were the actions of those who claimed to be Christian. Some remember history. Others choose not to. It all comes down to one's perspective.

So, what should we believe? What's the correct perspective? Where is the truth? The answer is simple and complex, easy and difficult, obvious and mysterious. It all begins with two words: Follow me.

Jesus spoke these words to a tax collector, ruler, fishermen, rabbis, teachers, students, men, women, the young and the old, the rich and the poor, friends and enemies, those who would listen and those who would not, those He knew would follow Him, and those He knew would betray Him.

For any perspective, there must be a base, a foundation, a starting point. Jesus is that base and foundation and starting point. To follow Him, we must stop looking to others to find our way, the truth, and a meaningful life. We must change direction and focus on Him-studying what He taught, understanding who He is, and applying it all to how we live today.

To follow Jesus means to see everything through His eyes. The way requires that we abandon our personal perspective and take up His. Truth is found when we seek it, not by accepting whatever we're told. And a meaningful life comes in the one He gives, not in that assigned to or forced on us.

Read again what the ol' Scot said. What do you see...a man stealing someone's shoes or the soul who gave them away? Is there judgment or compassion? Do you feel a certain way because of what you were told? Did you hear the truth? Does it affect your life?