As a photographer, I am often thrown out there to the public for everyone to see. When I am published in a book or a magazine, it may drive new people to my website or blog. When I am featured on another site, hundreds and even sometimes thousands of people will follow a link to my blog. When I post something on Facebook or Twitter, I may grab someone’s attention who will then check out who I am. If a bride is looking for a wedding photographer, I may be one of a hundred photographers that she checks out simply by doing a Google search!
I’m no Jasmine Star or Jessica Claire! In my opinion, they are rock star wedding photographers! But I do get hundreds of hits on my site every day, according to my stat counter report. And in a world where it is not always popular or easy to show the world my relationship with Christ, just like every Christian, I struggle!
So now what? Now that I have recognized this, I better do something with it, right?
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father.” NLT
This is part of the sermon on the Mount! When Jesus sat up there on that mountain, and his disciples gathered around him, he laid it all out there just as simply as he could! He was instructing His disciples to say it loud, and say it proud… “I LOVE JESUS!” He was instructing them to live by example for the whole world to see and learn! And He was teaching them not to worry about being persecuted by anyone for it.
It is difficult sometimes to remember that we need to live by example to others. I know personally that I get caught up in being popular and offering something for every bride, that I let my light go dim. Learning that everyone is not going to like me is difficult to swallow. But Jesus teaches that those who are persecuted for Him are blessed. So I am letting my light shine!
What about you? How do you handle your day to day life around those you work with or go to school with? Do you struggle to let your light shine around others? Do you find that others may persecute you for being a Christian? Or do you find that it is easy? Help those of us who struggle with this. What’s your secret?
And because this is a photography blog after all…
In some of my earlier posts, I discuss how being outdoors hiking has really brought me closer to God. The photo below is an example of why. Imagine walking through the forest or woods in the middle of nowhere, and you stumble upon this! How can anyone stand in the presence of something this magnificent and not know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this was created by a loving God?
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