Saturday, October 21, 2023
Pictures. Who doesn’t love to take pictures? I sure do. Often though, I am so caught up in the moment, the experience, the beauty of what I am partaking in, that taking pictures is the last thing on my mind. Nonetheless, the threat of possibly losing all my pictures on my phone had me frustrated and uptight. Ever been there?
Perhaps because I have lost much of my photos and slides from my early days in Europe I feel it more deeply. I don’t want to lose more. But what are pictures really? Often, they are failed attempts to capture something we don’t want to forget. If successful, they are just a marred reflection of the actual thing. A photo can’t compare with the incredible beauty all around us.
Then once the photo is taken, how often do we really go back and enjoy them. To be honest, the only time I dig through my files and files of photo’s is when I need one for a specific project. Even my special albums of memories are left untouched on the shelf unless showing them off to an interested party.
Some of my most precious, most memorial moments are those I hold dear in my memory, not in pictures. For example:
– Walking late at night with friends, the sky flooded with color and beauty from the Northern Lights.
– Holding my breath in awe while watching a full moon, huge and deep orange, rise up from the horizon, while on an early evening walk out in the country.
– The enjoyment of a squirrel chasing a chipmunk across the path.
– Musical laughter of little children at play.
– Catching my husband deep in thought.
– The glimpse of a full moon early in the morning, just over the tree tops, like a kiss from God.
– Being mesmerized by an octopus gliding gracefully back and forth on the glass, observing it’s incredible suckers, both large and small, as they move like a beautiful dance.
– In the midst of a dark, foggy night, standing at the edge of a lake that was as still as glass, inviting me to come onto it and dance.
– Observing the connection my husband makes with students as he teaches and with adults as he preaches.
– Being surrounded by the colors of fall.
Oh, the list could go on. What about you? What are the images that come to mind?
I could lose all my pictures, all my data, everything for that matter. It happens to people all the time. Perhaps it has even happened to you. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t lose what’s most important, my relationship with Jesus Christ. He is my rock, my sure foundation. 1 Corinthians 3:11 tells us, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” It is Christ and no other. Furthermore 2 Timothy 2:19 says, “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His…” This verse says several important things: First, the foundation is solid, it stands sure (KJV), it’s steadfast, in other words, it’s going to last. Secondly, it’s from God so it is indestructible, reinforcing even stronger, that its permanent and is going to last. Thirdly, it has a seal. Back in the day, a seal was a mark of authenticity. He has put His authenticity on the matter. It is true. It is trustworthy. Then fourthly, He knows who are His! Isaiah 43:1 says, “But now, thus says the Lord who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” The Creator God of the Universe, the one who formed, redeemed and called you, knows who belongs to Him and who doesn’t. If you have put your trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, then you belong to Him. It’s a fact that cannot be changed. Incredible!
Ephesians 2:19 goes on to explain, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” So, not only are we His for eternity, but we are no longer strangers but fellow citizens with others who belong to Him. We are a part of His family just as were the apostles and prophets. That fellowship, that family we are a part of is because of Christ Jesus Himself. Furthermore, He gives us His Spirit to live inside of us.
There is so much more I could say about these passages, there is so much there being said. What pictures come to mind when you read these verses. These are pictures for eternity. They can’t be destroyed. They won’t be left behind when we are called to our heavenly home. That is something to think about.
Blessings, Mari
