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.
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