Inspiration

“Let the heavens be glad,and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy.” (Psalm 96:11-12)

What is your source of inspiration? Or… more importantly, where is your source of inspiration? My approach to the photography of landscapes is to look beyond the captured image, beyond the subject being captured, and on toward praise to the One who made it all. As the Psalmist is saying in these verses, the creation itself is crying out praise to God. Luke 19:40 tells us that if we are silent and do not praise Him the rocks themselves will cry out. Whether basking in the glory of a fiery sunset, gazing in wonder at the vastness of the stars above, or appreciating the grandeur of a snow covered mountain we are commanded to look beyond the creation and on to the Creator Himself and praise Him for his work.

Inspiration. The very word indicates an external filling. It is not something we can do ourselves by our own work. The Greek for the word inspiration is “Theopneustos”. This is literally translated as “God Breathed”. It is the Spirit of God who fills us with inspiration. Just as a ball or a tire does not fill itself but requires an external source we must rely on the Lord to bring inspiration. Any attempts by our own strength to puff ourselves full of inspiration are futile. Even those who do not acknowledge God as the Creator of all things and the very source of inspiration are gaining this inspiration externally. Music, painting, sculptures, photography. It all ultimately is but a reflection of what has already been made.

Next time you are out and about and see something beautiful take the time to praise the One who made it all. He is the Master artist.