Steady. Confident. Focused.
During combat operations in Kuwait just prior to the invasion into Iraq, I told a very large group of senior officers and NCOs, “Look here, everyone. If you can’t see me, I can’t see you.” Famous last words uttered by an eager public affairs NCO getting ready to snap a picture for the history books. That’s what you belt out when you need a large group of people to look at your camera lens. Moments later, with a sinking heart the blurry photo starred back at me from the screen. Delivering the message to the boss was going to be painful. It was painful, indeed. Although, one can imagine that anyone deployed may be a little jittery at times, the enemy this time was an evil florescent glow, and its twin… low lighting. You win some and you lose some.
In James 1:12 the phrase that sticks out at first is, “when he stood the test …” A guarantee that there will be trials big and small in life. Your challenge may last a moment, or a month. No matter how strong and focused you believe you are, there are always tests that await. The vets of WWII who fought in Italy fought and forced equipment over the peaks as they clawed their way toward Rome. After each peak they looked up to see that there was always one more. Your roads will tire and stretch you to the limit. Still, we learn in James that blessings await as well, but not to those who simply live the life of Riley and not just to those who just lay low. But, to those who… first persevere the tests and always love the Lord. In the midst of your trials, it is sometimes difficult to feel things will get better. When viewed through human eyes, life may seem out of focus.
When it comes to focusing my lens, I’ve matured. I’ve gained experience and skill. When I think about the focus in my life, I’ve matured. I’ve gained experience and skill. I think of tough times, and I’m now awed by the blessings that grew from it, because in the midst of the ’blur’ I could not imagine how anything could possibly work out. And yet, it’s because of God that things do work out in the most amazing ways.
Years passed since my blurry day in that distant place. Today, with the aperture set, I’ve snapped the perfect picture: the background a bit blurry and the most beautiful cheery blossom in focus. It’s amazing what can come out with a little blur and a little focus.
By Erika Ruthman (Eric helped a little too…)
Well said my friend(s).
Oh, man, the photo analogies abound – you released my shutter.
If you look at, say, the D-Day images of Robert Capa you’ll find his single, most famous image of one soldier crawling through the water to the beach. (Simply titled Omaha Beach, Normandy France, 1944) It is all blurred from motion. Capa exposed 106 negatives on D-Day. Ten survived; the rest melted. One was famous and perfectly captured the chaos.
That thing about perseverance is so true. Roy Stryker told his FSA photographers of the Great Depression that the most important thing is “f8 and be there;” that is, prepare your tools and be at the location.
For us, it means know the Word, know our Spiritual weapons, be prepared, and be in the middle of God’s work when He does call us just that once.
As a Believer I may be called only to just hang tough behind the lines. I might not have any idea what service I performed – Jesus’ mentions servants on the last day saying something like, “Lord, when did I do that?”
Others of us may be called for that one perfect moment God has planned. He wants us there, right then, and ready. Man I would hate to give up before it was handed to me.
Thank you, Erika!