Living the Image

One of my favourite hobbies is photography - the challenge of capturing a moment in just the right way really appeals to me. It really is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, and then some; images often articulate what mere verbal descriptions fail to achieve.

The Bible says that God created us in His image - Genesis 1:27. I don't know about you, but I find that so reassuring. No matter what happens in life, or how I feel, I know I possess a kinship with my Creator that can never be taken away! And just like pictures can be incredibly creative portrayals of everyday things and can tell moving personal stories, so are each one of us purposefully designed to reflect our Creator in a profound way. Yet what I find even more incredible is how our great God, our Source, our Photographer, composes each of us in a different angle, light, and focus in order to reveal His same image. Amazing!

Images need angles. Isn't it true that just by changing the angle of the camera towards the object, the whole picture can change? The holiness of God required a payment to be made for our sin, and Jesus' death paid that debt in full. Now "we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). We can live in communion with God and experience His grace, all because God now sees us through the angle of the cross. And because of His grace, our own perspective of ourselves and our lives can be dramatically changed!

Images need light. You can't have a picture without it. The interaction of light and resulting shadow gives a photo its depth. Matthew 5:14,16 says "you are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." We all go through times of darkness and doubt, but it's so important to remember our Light Source. Only then do the tough times act like a shadow, giving our lives depth of character.

Images need a focus. Some of the neatest photos I've seen are composed with some of the picture out of focus, with one object in focus. The effect is incredible as the Photographer clearly defines what He wants the picture to be about. We all know the importance of faith and trusting God when situations seem blurry; in fact the Bible says that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). If we can learn to appreciate the fuzzy parts of life that require the most faith to walk though, then we will be blown away as we behold the incredible beauty of that Image once it becomes clear. We simply need to focus on Him.

Since becoming an amateur photographer, the biggest challenge of photography that I have come across is trying to capture a moving object - it's really hard to get a sharp picture unless you have a steady hand and lots of skill. That's a good reminder to us that being still will reveal more of God's image in us than being busy. We all have times when we need to be busy, but too much often speaks 'look at me, see what I can do', while stillness says 'Look at Him, see His image in me.'

Ruth-Ellen W.

Neglected Dwelling

Each May long weekend, our family packs up to go to the cabin.  It is a much-anticipated weekend as our cabin is not winterized and is uninhabited for 6 months. When we pull onto the road leading to the cabin, there is a collective cheer from the children. My husband and I feel differently…we walk up the steps and turn the key with trepidation, murmuring “no whammies, no whammies”. We are hoping for no rodents, no burst water pipes and no water damage from a leaky roof. We aren’t characteristically such Debbie Downers but since these things have actually happened in previous years, you come to expect the worst! These things tend to ensue when your cabin is neglected over a long, cold Manitoba winter.

The good news is that this year none of the previously mentioned annoyances occurred! What we opened the door to find was a dark, dusty, cold, cobweb-filled cabin. I immediately drew the blinds and opened the windows to let fresh air and sunshine in. We turned on the heat to cut the chill. I got to work dusting and sweeping and making beds. I (very hesitantly!) got rid of the cobwebs. The cabin was transformed back into a place of life and warmth. A place where joy and relaxation set in…friends and family gather…meals are shared and games are played…s’mores and bonfires are enjoyed.

It made me think about a quote I recently read from St. Augustine that says:

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart.  Enlighten the corners

of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.

If I think about my heart/soul like the cabin left neglected over the winter then I realize that it needs to be cared for. If ignored, the icy chill of hurt and bitterness settles in and the blinds are closed to shut out people who might potentially hurt me. When the cutting wind of wintery circumstances is constantly battering my heart, it is left grey…dark…bleak. In those moments, I need the warmth and light of God’s mercy and grace to fill up the cold, dark places so there is no room for selfishness or anger or hopelessness. To be left only with a heart made available to God that is filled with a surplus of love, joy and peace that spills out to those around me is my desire. 

Make St. Augustine’s prayer your own.

Brenda E. 

Our Unchanging God

We live in a throw-away society - people would rather make a change for something new than put work into maintaining what they already have. Advertising, media and technology have brainwashed us into believing that 'off with the old, on with the new' is the happiest, most efficient way to live. It's an especially poisonous philosophy when people apply it to their relationships and their faith. As soon as problems arise, many are quick to question their commitments and turn their backs on God, believing that any change they pursue will doubtless lead to improvement and greater happiness. No wonder then, with so much change going on around us constantly, it can be incredibly difficult to fathom a God who is unchanging. Psalm 102:25-27 says "of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; yes, they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will have no end." Wow... how do we love, and inspire others to love, such an eternal Being as that? With so many new ideas coming at us all the time, and knowing that people embrace them believing they have as much validity as the values that society has held for centuries, how do we as Christians sort through it all in order to demonstrate a timeless message in a timely way? 

Here are a few thoughts I have:

Remember that God sees the beginning, the middle and the end. He knows each of us inside out and can see the best path for us to take! People are often reluctant to give up control until they come to a place that is beyond their control. Psalm 33:11 says "the counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations." There is great comfort in reflecting on the fact that God was there at your birth, already knows tomorrow and therefore asks for you to trust Him today.

Understand the difference between change and improvement. Improvement always involves change, but change isn't always improvement. Adam and Eve first sinned because they desired knowledge more than obedience to God, and that thirst for societal 'improvement' apart from God continues to this day. A perfect, unchanging God has given us rules to govern our lives by, and we must choose to maintain that moral compass in order to properly discern what 'improvement' truly looks like. The story of the prodigal son can be found in Luke 15:11-24. The younger son didn't know how good he had it until he lost it all; he didn't realize that 'change' could be bad. God often allows us to rebel and go our own way in order to help us see the value of the life we had with Him.  He then patiently waits for us to return.

Put a higher value on preventative maintenance. Something of enduring value, whether it is a relationship, the environment, or your health, needs to be cared for or else it will disintegrate. It can't be treated like an iPad; you can't upgrade when your old one burns out. God has given us the task of stewardship - so how much time are we investing in the cultivation of what's most important? May God give us the wisdom we need to fulfill this high calling in spite of what society says. After all, buying into the throw-away mindset only means that in the end, you'll have nothing left to throw away.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8

Ruth-Ellen W.