Study
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ
and Him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2, NIV)
Photography is simple. The act of picking up a device to capture an image on a camera sensor is not difficult. Even the equipment in the most rudimentary forms can be created with a shoebox and a pinhole (https://www.instructables.com/Shoebox-Camera/). Over time, improvements in camera technology and the massive increase in convenient pocket sized cameras first with small point/shoot cameras and now high quality cameras on every cell phone have effectively democratized photography to the point that virtually everyone on the planet is a photographer of some level with literally billions of images flooding the digital world largely through social media. Some images being produced are extremely high quality and a large percentage that are taken and shared are not reaching a level beyond a simple snapshot just to capture random moments in life. Does this mean that only the “advanced” photographers are sharing in the gift of photography? Do people enter into this and eventually reach a point of progress where they are “accepted”? Of course not! Is progress something that should be desired as we “run this race” of photography? I believe so but that is possibly where my metaphor stretches a bit since taking pictures is not on the same level as spiritual growth but indulge me a bit for a few minutes.
Photography is simple… great photography is difficult. Even after spending dedicated time for several years and consistent practice in this art it is more common that for any landscape photo shoot I will come home with dozens of “throw away” photos and only one or two that are worth keeping. I am not alone in this as I have heard many professional photographers say the same and they are much further along in this than I am. The key to progress is simply to keep learning from those who know more and to keep practicing. If progress is made for someone over a period of years do they look back at the beginning and say they were not a photographer? No, they would say they have simply progressed over time through practice.
Our spiritual lives are metaphorically similar to the photography illustration. Entry into covenant with Jesus Christ is simple. Romans 10:9 (ESV) states, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Nothing else is required. The price has been paid and all that is needed is to confess and believe (place full faith in) the fact of the resurrection. Simple entry into eternal life with Christ but He does not want us to stop there. We are called to grow in Him.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV) “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” In other words, once you start this race you need to get moving and run the race. Don’t stop at the beginning but make progress!
Finally, Paul exhorts Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJ21) to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needed not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Progress takes study and work so that you can please your Heavenly Father when He sees your life and your work. Does the work and study save you? Of course not. Just as the illustration of photography showed us, we were already in the “family” of photographers even when just getting started but that doesn’t mean that progress shouldn’t be made.
One final thought… be patient in both areas. If you do happen to enjoy photography and want to improve, be patient. If you are in Christ then definitely “run the race” but be patient with yourself because the Lord is going to be patient with you!
