Tonight I went to my photography club meeting and we talked about nighttime photography. Cameras have a shutter that opens every time you take a picture. When the shutter opens, light is allowed in and that is what puts the image on the film. The more light, the brighter (or lighter) the image. That's why some pictures turn out too dark - not enough light on the film. There are several ways to adjust camera settings to allow more light to hit the film. One way is with your shutter speed. The longer you leave the shutter open, the more light that comes in, thus lightening your image.
In nighttime photography, you have to leave the shutter open for a long time to allow a ton of light to come in. When you do this, the camera can see things you cannot see with the naked eye. Sometimes you may be standing in the dark and have to do a test shot just to see what's out there.
The whole concept made me think of God. The more we let His light into our lives, the more bright we will be, the more exposed we will be. Sometimes we need to sit and marinate in His light a long time. Other times, we make a connection with Him in a snap. But the thing that interested me the most is the concept of seeing in the dark. Even when we feel completely in the dark, maybe lonely or disconnected from God or when we are living in darkness by choice - God has a special way of seeing beyond the darkness. He sees things we cannot see with the human eye. There is light in all of us. Even when we feel almost burned out, His light and His vision have a way of seeking out even the faintest light and making it shine with brilliance. And in the right Artist's hands, a masterpiece can be created out of what the human eye often overlooks.
...my God turns darkness into light. Psalm 18:28b
Monday, January 08, 2007
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
It's not about me
Ah, New Year. It's kind of like Spring for the soul. Everyone's eating carrots and breaking a sweat in their new gym clothes. I wonder how much drain there is on the nation's water supply with everyone's resolution to get in their eight glasses a day. While some new beginnings are scary, some are refreshing. A chance to lay down the junk from the past year and look ahead with bright hope. An entire untainted year stretches out before you gleaming with endless possibilities.
As this year blooms with promise, I feel like God is calling His people to take it slow and shift our focus. Just today, I have encountered God four times, each reminding me that the theme of 2007 needs to be "IT'S NOT ABOUT ME; IT'S ALL ABOUT GOD." This morning, I read the story of Lot in Genesis 13. Lot and Abraham decide the land cannot support both of their households, so they will part company. Abraham allows Lot have his pick of the land. In verse 10 Lot chooses what he deems to be the most lush, well-watered plain in the region. After moving there, Lot and his family are kidnapped, and eventually his city is completely destroyed by burning sulfur raining down from heaven. His wife dies. And his daughters basically molest him.
Sometimes what looks like the green grass on the other side of the fence isn't always so. Despite Lot's surroundings in Sodom, it seems he retained some qualities of righteousness and decency as evidenced by his attempt to rescue the two angels from the men of the city in Genesis 19. Lot had even risen to a place of prominence as a judge in the city. I wonder, however, what the ending of Lot's story would have looked like if he had not chosen that area to settle. Genesis 13:11 says Lot "chose that land for himself." Many a righteous man in scripture have been lead astray by their flesh. Did Lot pray for direction when making this decision? We don't know. Did he view it as a "mission opportunity?" We don't know. Did God specifically call him to go to Sodom? Scripture doesn't seem to indicate that. Him moving to Sodom is not really the point. We all know God can work anywhere, with anyone, to do anything if willing hearts exist. The key is to remember, it's not about me. It's about God. What appears to be lush and green from a distance could, in reality, be the gateway to destruction for us. So we need to slow down and seek God's counsel, remembering that salvation entered the world in a stable - not a palace. Sparkly, shiny perfection is not necessarily God's calling card.
Pondering Lot's choices this morning, I opened an email devotional that I get everyday, and whadaya know, the topic revolved around choices. The article centered on Proverbs 21:2 which says, "All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart." The author stressed the importance of seeking God's guidance and direction, especially when committing to new tasks. Her spin was from another angle, discussing our tendency to get overextended and involved in too many "good" things. While certain projects and ministries at church might be good, it doesn't mean we are necessarily the people God intends to use. So often we jump in with both feet without consulting God to see if this is where He wants us to spend our energy. Before long we find ourselves burned out, ill-equipped and too tired to serve effectively. Again, it's not about us. It's all about Him. Maybe this task was designed for someone else. Maybe we are called to be still for a season. Maybe our gifts are needed elsewhere. How will we know until we ask?
I have a cherished co-worker that I often talk to about God, scripture and how God is working. This afternoon she and I entered into a discussion about letting go of dreams and selfish desires. We both feel lead to spend more time this year focusing on others. Over the holidays, she and I both had experiences that set us up to change our perspectives and motivate us to reach out to people. We each had decided on some ways we could serve others, and were able to share those with each other. I can feel God moving in His people creating this outward and upward focus, and my encounter with Sonya today was confirmation that our spirits are in harmony on this issue.
When I got home from work, I sat down to read the Bible and came upon Genesis 22 where God called Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Our devotion to God and our faith in Him is more important than any dream we hold dear. Are we willing to sacrifice our dreams in faith? God may call us to the brink of sacrifice to test our willingness, but we must be ready to make the sacrifice with our whole hearts. I'm not saying it's wrong to dream, quite the contrary. However, elevating our dreams to a place of importance that surpasses God is where we often meet our downfall. I've come to realize that I have been holding too tightly to some of my dreams - focusing more on them rather than on God. Unanswered prayers or unfulfilled dreams have almost become like an eclipse, blocking my full view of His light. So in this year, I want to lay my dreams at His feet. If He has a purpose for them, He will give them back.
Decisions and dreams should live under the umbrella of prayer. We need to slow down and take time to listen. And sometimes God may call us to sacrifice things with no explanation at all. Most importantly, we need to remember... It's all about Him. It's not about me.
As this year blooms with promise, I feel like God is calling His people to take it slow and shift our focus. Just today, I have encountered God four times, each reminding me that the theme of 2007 needs to be "IT'S NOT ABOUT ME; IT'S ALL ABOUT GOD." This morning, I read the story of Lot in Genesis 13. Lot and Abraham decide the land cannot support both of their households, so they will part company. Abraham allows Lot have his pick of the land. In verse 10 Lot chooses what he deems to be the most lush, well-watered plain in the region. After moving there, Lot and his family are kidnapped, and eventually his city is completely destroyed by burning sulfur raining down from heaven. His wife dies. And his daughters basically molest him.
Sometimes what looks like the green grass on the other side of the fence isn't always so. Despite Lot's surroundings in Sodom, it seems he retained some qualities of righteousness and decency as evidenced by his attempt to rescue the two angels from the men of the city in Genesis 19. Lot had even risen to a place of prominence as a judge in the city. I wonder, however, what the ending of Lot's story would have looked like if he had not chosen that area to settle. Genesis 13:11 says Lot "chose that land for himself." Many a righteous man in scripture have been lead astray by their flesh. Did Lot pray for direction when making this decision? We don't know. Did he view it as a "mission opportunity?" We don't know. Did God specifically call him to go to Sodom? Scripture doesn't seem to indicate that. Him moving to Sodom is not really the point. We all know God can work anywhere, with anyone, to do anything if willing hearts exist. The key is to remember, it's not about me. It's about God. What appears to be lush and green from a distance could, in reality, be the gateway to destruction for us. So we need to slow down and seek God's counsel, remembering that salvation entered the world in a stable - not a palace. Sparkly, shiny perfection is not necessarily God's calling card.
Pondering Lot's choices this morning, I opened an email devotional that I get everyday, and whadaya know, the topic revolved around choices. The article centered on Proverbs 21:2 which says, "All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart." The author stressed the importance of seeking God's guidance and direction, especially when committing to new tasks. Her spin was from another angle, discussing our tendency to get overextended and involved in too many "good" things. While certain projects and ministries at church might be good, it doesn't mean we are necessarily the people God intends to use. So often we jump in with both feet without consulting God to see if this is where He wants us to spend our energy. Before long we find ourselves burned out, ill-equipped and too tired to serve effectively. Again, it's not about us. It's all about Him. Maybe this task was designed for someone else. Maybe we are called to be still for a season. Maybe our gifts are needed elsewhere. How will we know until we ask?
I have a cherished co-worker that I often talk to about God, scripture and how God is working. This afternoon she and I entered into a discussion about letting go of dreams and selfish desires. We both feel lead to spend more time this year focusing on others. Over the holidays, she and I both had experiences that set us up to change our perspectives and motivate us to reach out to people. We each had decided on some ways we could serve others, and were able to share those with each other. I can feel God moving in His people creating this outward and upward focus, and my encounter with Sonya today was confirmation that our spirits are in harmony on this issue.
When I got home from work, I sat down to read the Bible and came upon Genesis 22 where God called Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Our devotion to God and our faith in Him is more important than any dream we hold dear. Are we willing to sacrifice our dreams in faith? God may call us to the brink of sacrifice to test our willingness, but we must be ready to make the sacrifice with our whole hearts. I'm not saying it's wrong to dream, quite the contrary. However, elevating our dreams to a place of importance that surpasses God is where we often meet our downfall. I've come to realize that I have been holding too tightly to some of my dreams - focusing more on them rather than on God. Unanswered prayers or unfulfilled dreams have almost become like an eclipse, blocking my full view of His light. So in this year, I want to lay my dreams at His feet. If He has a purpose for them, He will give them back.
Decisions and dreams should live under the umbrella of prayer. We need to slow down and take time to listen. And sometimes God may call us to sacrifice things with no explanation at all. Most importantly, we need to remember... It's all about Him. It's not about me.
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