In The Fight Look to the Light

 How are you making out on the journey ? Are you getting enough light? Light is essential to this journey: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps 119:105). Often I see parallels between photography and our spiritual journey.

One of the first principles a photographer must learn and understand is that photography is all about the light. Likewise we must understand our journey is all about the light: In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1:4-5).  Then Jesus spake again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).   Jesus is the Creator of life and the source of our spiritual life and His life brings light to mankind. Jesus refers to Himself as the light of world and all those who follow Him shall enjoy His presence, protection and the personal guidance needed to walk in light. We have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Pet 2:9b) and are instructed to walk in the light, as He is in the light (I John 1:7a).

 In addition to the light principle, understanding the camera's features and functions is also important  to the photographer's  success.  While knowing how the camera operates is important, it often leads to a common mistake many photographers make. A photographer comes upon a beautiful scene and immediately starts looking at the camera trying to figure out what the camera settings should be, takes the picture, gets home and finds out he or she is disappointed with the results. The photographer forgot the first principle, it's about the light. Instead of looking at the camera he or she should have been looking at the light in the scene.  Looking at light will help the photographer to determine the camera settings.

We do the same thing. When we are confronted with an interpersonal conflict or pressure,  immediately we start operating and reacting based upon what we think and how we feel. Instead of looking to the Light, we go right into defending our position and determining  what we need to say and do to win the argument.  If instead in the midst of conflict , we would take a moment to  look to Jesus, who is the Light, our response to the conflict would be different. A photographer's goal is to capture the light, our's is to reflect the Light: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which  is in heaven (Matt 5:16).

Looking to the Light with a desire to reflect the Light will enable us to speak the truth in love even in conflict and to respond in humility instead of hostility. If a photographer effectively captures the light he or she ends up with a beautiful portrait. If we reflect the Light we end up as a beautiful portrait of the Master, we become a Masterpiece: And all of us, as with unveiled face, (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in the mirror the glory of the Lord are constantly being transfigured into His very own image...(II Cor 3:18 -AMP). The next time we find ourselves in a fight we must look to the Light!

looking to the Light,
Diane

p.s. Let's practice looking to the Light before we react. Every time conflict or pressure arises be intentional about looking to Light. Let the Light of the Word direct your response. 

p.p.s. you can check out my efforts as a photographer to capture the light at just4hisglory.com

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