Originally published Thursday, 21 March 2013.
As a photography-lover I often find myself on a hunt for the best light. Lately, I've been obsessed with natural light, studying the lay of the land around my home, and finding the best light there is during each part of the day. I love how light can bring out the unseen beauty of a person or thing, but I'm learning that it can't always be controlled.
I just have to chase it.
Chasing the Light
A friend recently asked me to explain the cause for my recent improvement in photography ability. My answer? I really want to make beautiful photos, because when I do, my soul gets filled up and I find amazing peace and pleasure. I'm motivated by the reward it brings me, so I keep working and keep learning. I still take PLENTY of duds (most of them, truth be known), but the ones that take my breath away more than make up for the ones that don't.
I have a thirst for photography knowledge and beauty, and I'm willing to follow hard after the results I want.
Reminds me of the Christian life.
The classic example of a man who followed hard after God was, of course, David. Known as a man with a "heart after God," David followed Him even when it didn't make sense to do so. He suffered for the sake of His God, made mistakes along the way, and had to pay the consequences for his sin just like everyone else. But through it all, his heart remained "after God."
I used to think that phrase meant that David had a heart like God—similar to, made in the image of. Now, I like to think of the word "after" as a more of a verb.
David was after God's heart—pursuing it, desiring it, reaching for it with everything he had—chasing the Light. He was quick to repent, quick to obey, and quick to unabashedly show his love for the God he followed.
I want to be like that.
When the surprises of life hit, when I can't see the beauty of my life, when my secrets threaten to keep me in the shadows, I still want to chase after God.
When someone asks me about the quality of my life, and why I've been able to steadily improve my character...
When they ask me why the fruit of the spirit is more evident in my life now than it was a year ago...
When they look at all of the loss, and wonder how in the world I could ever trust God again...say "yes" to Him again...
I want to be able to say that it's because I really want to chase after the Light, because when I do, my soul gets filled up and I find amazing peace and pleasure. I'm motivated by the reward He bought me, so I keep working and keep learning. I still make PLENTY of mistakes (most of the time, truth be known), but the times that take my breath away more than make up for the times that don't.
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~John 8:12
I want to make the effort to follow Jesus hard even when it doesn't make sense to do so. Why? Because I'm learning that He can't be controlled. I just have to chase Him.
Is there something in your life that's keeping you from chasing hard after God? Wouldn't it be great if today was the day you let it go, picked up your skirts, and started running?
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