How do you see the world?

We all have dispositions. A certain bent to live one way and not another. We all see the world through a lens. A lens of upbringing, culture, education, and more. We each have a view of the world. This is known as a worldview.

So, what is your worldview? How do you view the world and what are the shapers of that view? These are important questions because, whether we know it or not, we all have a view of the world and what makes up the “good life.” And it is shaped by all sorts of things. But is it shaped by the right things?

Do we get our worldview simply from our parents? Our education? The entertainment we ingest? Everything is speaking to us.

However, are we listening critically or just unconsciously breathing it all in?

The vehicles we drive are all equipped with windshield wipers so that our view will not be obstructed. It is dangerous for yourself and others to drive when you cannot see clearly.

In the same way, it is important that as we drive down the road of life we see things in the correct way. It is important that we have a worldview that is in line with reality and will not send us or others crashing to our deaths.

When traveling down life’s road it is important to consider the destination. There are pertinent life questions that need answered if we are to go down the path of life with direction and intentionality. If we have a correct view of life, i.e. worldview, we will avoid many pitfalls along life’s path.

God is outside time. He is the author of time. The author of the cosmos. And He is also the author of Scripture. We would be wise to get our view of the world from the great Architect.  His Word truly is a light to our path (Ps. 119:105). C. S. Lewis said, “I believe in God like I believe in the sun, not because I can see it, but because of it all things are seen.”

How do you see the world? Start by considering these questions:*

  • What is reality? What is really real?
  • What is the nature of the world around us? Is it chaotic or orderly? Is it all natural or is there supernatural?
  • What is a human being?
  • What happens to a person at death?
  • Why is it possible to know anything at all?
  • How do we know what is right and wrong?
  • What is the meaning of history?
  • What personal, life-orienting core commitments are consistent with this worldview?
  • What do you desire? What is your view of the “good life”?


*Cf. James W. Sire, The Universe Next Door (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2009).


About Paul O'Brien


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