Moments
The standard shutter speed length for most pictures is about 1/60 of a second long. Longer speeds of 1/2 second or 1 second or more will blur the motion instead of freezing the movement. For a fast shutter the length of time may be 1/500 of a second or even much faster with some cameras hitting 1/32000 to provide incredible ability to freeze motion. The world’s fastest camera has an astounding speed of one billionth of a second. This camera can document nuclear fusion in action so it’s not likely that any of us will be getting our hands on one of those!
A single image is defined by the precise moment in which the shutter opens and then closes to cast the light onto the sensor of the camera thereby saving that moment potentially for all time. If a video is being created it is simply a serious of images taken very quickly in a row to define a moment of time in a format that can last minutes or hours to be watched over and over again. Either way, the operator of the camera is choosing where to direct the lens and how to set it up to provide the most appealing image or series of images.
All of this “camera science” shutter speed talk brings me to the point that has been on my mind today. In life, we are sometimes given by God certain “defining moments” that serve as a single moment or a period of time that reveal our character and our faith for what it truly is. Consider Genesis 22 and the story of Abraham being called by God to sacrifice his only son Isaac whom he loved (22:1). Verse one of this chapter clearly tells us that God was testing Abraham with this command. If you are not familiar with how the story ends read the entire story in Genesis 22. What is most remarkable in this event is that one might think that it was this “test” from God that gave Abraham righteousness. This is not the case at all as Genesis 15:6 confirms that God had credited Abraham with righteousness long before this moment because he had believed God in faith. This is confirmed in Romans 4:9, 22, Gal. 3:6 and James 2:23. The testing in Genesis 22 with the sacrifice of Isaac was a confirmation of what was already true!
Throughout scripture we find many instances of “testing” that reveal various responses from those being tested. Pharoah’s heart was hardened by God (Exodus 7:13), Ezekiel 36:26 speaks about God giving his people a new heart of flesh replacing the heart of stone within them. The entire book of Job is a story of a man that was allowed to be tested severely and his response was to have a soft heart before God. Even Peter in Luke 22:31 Satan requested to “sift Peter like wheat.” In all of these instances it was not the defining moment of testing that defined the condition of the heart but rather the moment of testing confirmed what was already existing.
Preparation. We must be ready for the moment. For photography when that beautiful moment is happening in front of you it is too late to start learning how your camera works or how to properly take photos. If an image captured is striking, then it will be due to what you already possessed with photography skills and the preparation that you had already put in place. Obviously, the use of photography in this writing (as in all of my posts) is less important by far than spiritual things but it serves as good illustration. When God puts testing in your life then it is time to thank him for the opportunity to have your faith confirmed and to grow in grace with Him. The next test may be more difficult, but you will be able to recall previous tests that proved your faith and have more confidence that God will take you through it.
One last thing, testing does not prove your faith TO God. He is sovereign and already knows the faith or lack of faith that you have. Testing is there to show you where you are and where you have opportunity for growth. The time to learn and grow in the Word of God is now, before the testing comes. Just as with the camera, when that moment comes it will be too late to start reading the directions.
