Equipment
"Let us use what God has given us...
power, love and a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:6,7
As I sat on the porch of our rental condo. At Ponte Vedra Beach recently, I saw
an awesome sight. Swimming in the Atlantic, close to shore, were schools of
dolphins. Each group had quite a few fish in it, and
the multiple number of schools was unbelievable. I spotted this profusion of
dorsal fins slicing through the waves, and as I watched I saw not only swimming,
but jumping and tailing.
This was a most unusual sight, and I hurried to get my camera to capture this
event on film! I knew trying to keep this vision in my mind's
eye would fade in time, and I wanted a permanent remembrance. I walked to the
water's edge, poised the camera with zoom extended and
snapped away. When the film was developed, I was extremely disappointed, for the
photos were very poor. My zoom lens had not been strong enough, and my timing
had been off- enough to make the photos blurry and indistinguishable. I had been
unable to capture on film the sight I had seen because I had been ill equipped
to adequately do so.
When we want to show someone a picture of Jesus, we do so through the way we
live our lives. Maybe it's time to check our
equipment, so we will be prepared. Are we reading the Bible, spending time in
prayer -- listening to Him as well as talking, and opening ourselves to the
power of the Holy Spirit each and every day? What about our timing? Are we
sensitive to God's perfect timing in our lives-
available to "snap that lens"
when He directs us, not when I so decide.
Proper equipment is necessary not only in photography, but also in living the
Christian life.
Prayer- thank you, Lord for the beauty of the dolphins I saw, and for the
reminder I received .Every Christian needs to keep his or her spiritual
equipment in good order so we can more faithfully serve in Your Name and by the
power of Your Spirit.
Marion Smith noles65@aol.com
comments and feedback welcome