So much of our life is colored by what we see. Despite our wondrous gift of sight, it can be so easy to forget that we miss a great deal. We sometimes miss it because we aren’t looking. We also can miss it because we look through lenses impacted by our lived experiences, our beliefs, and our values.
I think the Lord recently used two different experiences to remind me to look beyond or look again at what I am seeing or think I see.
The first of these was a short course on photography. Those of you who follow me or read many of my posts know that I enjoy and delight in taking photos that capture something in a way that gives us glimpses of more than we might have seen. I want to give us “a new lens” by both photos and words. Most of the photos I take with my digital SLR camera catch the images through the camera’s automatic settings of the scene I sense and want to share. My professional and ministry life before recent retirement never seemed to have room to take a few classes to see what else the camera could do.
My four photography classes exposed me to what seemed like a foreign language, but I have begun to see a little more of what the camera can do and in some of the posts ahead and even a few behind, you might notice subtle differences. One thing the instructor said really stood out. He asked us, “How many of you look at the photo you took and are disappointed because it was not what you thought you saw through the lens at all?”
I certainly have had that happen and most people have. There are many reasons for that, but there is one thing that is key to remember when we put the camera to our eye whether it is a great digital SLR or the latest iPhoto camera.
Our eyes see three dimensionally, but the camera doesn’t.
The knowledge of that one thing can begin to alter when you click to take a picture and what you try to capture.
The second experience happened at a theater presentation presented in 1,000 theaters across the United States to encourage Christians to vote in this general election. The organization that sponsored it (#MyFaithVotes) did not talk about any specific candidate or position, but called Christians everywhere to first of all pray, then think, and then vote. It was a great time of worship and prayer with Miss Clara from The War Room closing the prayer time asking God to raise up a mighty army of prayer warriors.
At the close of the evening, a picture of the map of the country came on the screen, one taken from space at night. It was, of course, dark, but then a small light came on to mark each city where another theater was praying. They came on one at a time and suddenly the map and the perspective changed when we saw ourselves as His children, shining forth His light, interceding for this nation according to 2 Chronicles 7:14.
That pictorial presentation reminded everyone that we are not alone and even small lights scattered over an expanse of darkness can make a great difference.
No matter where we live in the world, much darkness seems to be afoot. The shadows that would try to overtake us also seem to be steadily bringing about division, not only in our society but also within the body of Christ. The latter is the more dangerous response to evil in our time.
I think it can be far too easy to lose track of the big picture or the view from the helicopter, but it is
also key that we look more closely and zoom in to be sure of what we are looking at.
We need to be able to discern the difference between what is wise, what is foolish, and what is evil. Such discernment will point the way to our response.
You may be thinking you don’t have the gift of discernment or it can be very hard for you to discern such things, but as daughters and sons of God when Jesus lives in us He is able to lead and guide us with the light that only He brings to our lives and this world.
In my next post, I will give you some tips on how to differentiate some of the differences between wise, foolish, and evil.
I want my light to shine for Jesus. Amazing how much light can come from one light, and how much more light there is when they all shine at the same time!
So true, my friend!
How neat to see that space photo in that setting! Thanks for joining us at #FridayFrivolity this week!
Hi Pam! I think those photo classes really impressed you! And I’m so glad you took them too, because I just love your images on the blog.
We see three dimensionally…such a simple truth, but I never thought about that when taking pictures. It would make a difference to be able to do that. I wonder if there is such a technology yet.
Seeing all those places ‘light up’ with prayer and light would have been so awesome. What a visual! It’s always good to know that we aren’t alone. And I’m sure the program was very helpful too, bringing you some light for November.
Blessings,
Ceil
Seeing those places light up with prayer was indeed encouraging given how things appear to stand in the world.Blessings on you, my friend! So glad the Lord allowed us to meet via this venue!
Oh to see everything through the lens of Jesus! Thanks so much for sharing—love the thought of everyone praying in those theatres… there’s so much power in prayer! Stopping by from #WordofGodSpeak
Great to hear from you Laura! Yes, if only we could see as He does, but perhaps as we tune in more closely to His Word and listen, we will see more since His Spirit dwells within us!
Pam- what a great reminder that we aren’t alone, even when it seems like we are walking this Christian faith alone in this dark world.
Your photography is amazing!
#FreshMarketFriday,
Julie
Thanks, Julie! I think we all need to know that in days that seem to look grim from earthly eyes.
I’m still learning the vocabulary of the photography world, too, and apply it to my own camera. It’s been a slow process. This has great spiritual implications: “Our eyes see three dimensionally, but the camera doesn’t.” And our spiritual eyes? No limit! Thanks for this analogy, Pam.
Thanks, Lisa! It will be a process, won’t it both spiritually (to adjust) as well as to the language of the technology of taking photos!
This was an encouraging reminder that we are not alone. Seeing from the perspective of all the little lights representing each theater praying must have been remarkable. I was invited to be part of a praying group for 21 days before the election. It’s a small group, and some times lately I have wondered if we are nearly the only ones. But as I read your post I realized there are many more small groups making up a whole lot of people praying!
Hearing about your small group is exciting for me to hear. I wonder if you have been reading the things Eric Metaxas has been writing or known about the website Behold Israel. It’s an important (possibly crucial) time for Christians to be praying.
Thank you for these words, Pam, in a context of what seems to be such darkness. I truly do forget that prayer is a carrier of light into this world and that there really IS something that I can do that is meaningful.
I pray and trust so. I have been encouraged by all Eric Metaxas has been writing as well as the information on Behold Israel website.