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.