Saturday morning, I woke up early to meet Hannah and Justin,
our photographer, at Ascension coffee to shoot the pictures you see above.
Having a digital camera and being able to see the photos while we’re shooting
is so helpful and as I thought about it more, I realized how prevalent instant
gratification is in our lives. I remember how excited I was to receive my first
camera as a kid. I took it on camping trips with my grandparents and once I
finished a roll of film, I couldn’t wait to develop the pictures and look
through all the wonderful places I had been. There was a sense of excitement
and anticipation that grew as I had to wait.
Today, we are annoyed if we have to wait more than a few
minutes for anything. We want to see results as soon as possible. I know I’m
guilty of this in my own life and must admit that I often approach God with
this same frustration.
“Superficiality is the curse of our
age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The
desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or
gifted people, but for deep people.” - Richard Foster
Charles Swindoll quotes Richard Foster in his book Intimacy
with the Almighty then follows with urging readers to ask themselves, “Am I
among the deep people?” I would like
to think I am, but in a society where everyone is always on the go, busyness is
praised and looked upon as successful. When busyness prevails, it produces
shallowness. Even when the things I am "busy" doing are honoring to
God, how deep can I really go?
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be
still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be
exalted in the earth!” God didn’t create us to be busy all the time;
instead he calls us to be still. He created us to live in an intimate relationship
with him. He wants all of us, not just a 30-minute block in our day. When time
with God becomes just another item on our to-do list, we treat him like a chore
and our mindset is in the wrong place. “But
I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will
be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians
11:3).
My encouragement this morning is to slow down and enjoy
where God has you today, in this very moment. Walk in step with his spirit
(Galatians 5:16-26), trusting that he knows better than you do. Stop trying to
look at the picture before it's developed. Wait on the Lord, allow that sense
of excitement and anticipation to build up and let him bless you with an entire
roll of pictures.
You look great! I love this look.
ReplyDeleteLiz
www.liztheaustinite.com
Thank you so much, Liz! You always look amazing :)
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