- photo by Susan PageI love nature photography. It is a hobby that I am quite passionate about, one which I never tire of. When I’m outdoors with my camera I lose all track of time and am in my “happy place,” like when I spend hours photographing the herons on the pond near my home.
I do not have professional equipment or an editing program that I’ve invested in. Maybe in time that will become a possibility, but for now, I’m content.
While researching how to put a watermark on a photo, I became fascinated by how many photography terms can draw a parallel to our spiritual walk.
Let’s start with the term watermark, which when added to a photo identifies ownership of its copyright. So, I wonder, what identifying marks distinguish my “ownership.” Is it evident that I am a beloved child of Jesus, featuring marks of His grace, peace, and joy? I have been purchased with His blood, a gift to display to the world who will know Him by my love. “… but whoever keeps His word, in Him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says He abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked." (1 John 2:5-6)
While Jesus walked this earth, He modelled the example of spending time with His Father in prayer. For me, the best time to spend quiet moments of reflection is in the evening, which when taking photos is the golden hour. This is the time frame before sunset. The day is behind me, and I can reflect on it. It’s a perfect time to review where Jesus showed up throughout the day and a time to pause in gratitude for all His good gifts.
Others prefer what is called the blue hour, the early morning just before sunrise when all is quiet and still. One of my colleagues goes out at 4:00 a.m. every morning for prayer walks, spending time walking and talking and listening to his Lord.
Whether morning or evening, reflective moments with Jesus are captivating.
Now, consider the term, aperture which is the opening through which light passes through the lens to enter the camera. Its size can be modified to control how much light reaches the sensor. So, I ponder the aperture setting in my spiritual journey? How much do I invest in disciplines that allow light to enter my soul? Do I control things that are less important to make time and energy for God’s best?
What exposure do I give to spiritual truths so that I might abide in Him and thereby bear much fruit? Let’s be candid, there are many things that we could crop out of our lives to make time for the better. Remember Christ’s words to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41,42) While Martha focused on serving a great meal, Mary zoomed in on building her relationship with Jesus while sitting and learning at His feet.
Our saturation in God’s Word and prayer will make all the difference. When taking photos, saturation refers to the colour intensity of an image. As saturation increases, colours appear more vivid and are considered purer. Decreasing saturation results in muted colours, with full desaturation giving a monochromatic version of the image.
Wow, what a good word picture. As we apply good spiritual disciplines to our lives, our light will shine brighter and if we don’t then our walk and our talk may become quite muted or dull. “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” (Proverbs 4:18)
Attempting to capture a moment in nature while feeling so in-tune with our great creator God who has such a vivid imagination brings me deep satisfaction. I have also seen how capturing those special moments with Jesus is of deep value to my growth and enjoyment on my journey with Him. The moments, or the frames of life pass so quickly. I pray that my life, imperfect as it is, has the reflective watermark of my Maker and Master, captured to display His glory!
- Susan Page
Susan Page is friend of Pastor Tim and Susan's. For many years she has written devotionals for the National Prayer Guide of the Associated Gospel Churches of Canada where she serves as their Church Relations Coordinator / Health Benefits Manager.