In the late 1960's Thomas Kuhn, a scientific philosopher, dusted off a phrase that has become a popular description of a radical change of viewing data: the 'paradigm shift'. In Kuhn's case he noticed that scientists who gathered information to fit their particular interpretative grid (paradigm) were unable to receive any incoming data that contradicted their presuppositions. Because we are accustomed to looking at life in one particular way we are blinded from seeing it any differently.

We are often blinded by our preoccupations. Jesus continually challenged the faulty paradigms of his contemporaries who thought that they could redeem themselves through a self-justifying practice of the law. He challenged those who professed intentions to be disciples but wanted to follow Him on their own terms without repenting of their self-centered agendas. He challenged the paradigms of those who thought life was about the gaining of possessions, prestige, power and pleasures.

The enemy of our souls keeps us bound up in faulty paradigms. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4). Only the Word of God can correct our vision and give us a trustworthy paradigm that accurately reflects reality.

Even believers need to have their paradigms adjusted. Because we were brought up in the ways of the world and our own Adamic tendencies to place ourselves at the center of the universe, we easily shift into thinking that we are the 'lords' and God is the 'servant', the genie out of the bottle whose only purpose is to grant our wishes.

There is a wonderful account of a paradigm shift when the new leader of Israel, Joshua, Moses' successor, encounters the Lord. A leader can become preoccupied with his or her responsibilities and the importance of their mission.

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"

Joshua got a fresh perspective. Sometimes we presumptuously act as if the Lord always wants what we want, as if His only purpose is to champion our cause. Many American Christians relate to God as if He were a registered Republican, or a Democrat, depending on their own particular political persuasion. Football fans assume it's a matter of course that God wants their team to win! But God will not be reduced to a mascot for human efforts and ideologies.

Joshua assumed he was a leader and needed a fresh reminder that he was to be a follower. "Are you for us?" he asked the stranger. "Are you here to serve our cause? To fight our fight?" But the messenger responded, "I am captain of the Lord of hosts. You, Joshua, are to serve the Lord's cause, take the Lord's burden and the Lord's fight, not your own. He is the Lord of hosts. He is God. He is the King of kings. It is not a matter of whether He is on your team, but whether or not you are on His."

This revelation became a defining moment in Joshua's life. There was a paradigm shift that caused Joshua to take his proper position in the order of things: as a worshipping servant of the Lord. "Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, 'What message does my Lord have for his servant?'"

Being transformed by the gospel of the kingdom,