Let's Take Your Picture

 

I love magnolia trees. One day on our way to Lancaster I saw this beautiful tree. I had Jerry pull over and I ran across four lanes of heavy traffic so I could take some pictures of it. Let's say that was definitely a few years ago. Maryland had the right season for the magnolia tree to blossom in full glory. We planted three magnolia trees when we moved to PA, but the buds open too soon and were always affected by the lingering frosts. I'm glad I had the opportunity to take many pictures of this beautiful tree. I'll share two more pictures below.

In a book I was reading recently by Valerie M. Bodden, it told of a pastor giving a sermon about a picture that was recently taken of him. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a message quite like this before. I found it to be interesting and hopeful.

“We had a great photographer, but I can tell you that there’s one thing about the picture I’m not going to like. Wouldn’t like no matter who took it.

“The pastor patted his somewhat rounded middle and said: ‘The picture is going to show this.’

“I’m hoping maybe she can do some magic with Photoshop to make me look better Maybe give me a body-builder body.

“What about you? What do you see when you look at a picture of yourself? Do you see your wrinkles, maybe your thinning hair? Your scars?

“And those are just the physical imperfections. We can go deeper too. What about mental imperfections? Are you bad at math? A terrible speller? Not so great at geography?

“And let’s go deeper still. How about the spiritual imperfections? Is all you see when you look at yourself your sins? All the times you’ve done what you know is wrong? The times you’ve failed to do what was right?

“Makes a pretty ugly picture, doesn’t it?

"You ever wonder why God chose you? I mean, surely there are people out there who are prettier, smarter, kinder, better than you, right?

“I mean, He’s God. He could have anyone He wants. So why would He pursue you? Why would He want me, with all my faults and failures, my flabby abs and bald head and terrible spelling and filthy sins?

“Oh beloved. Don’t you see? God doesn’t love you in spite of all of those things. He loves you because He has erased all of those things. He didn’t just go in with Photoshop and touch you up a little here and a little there. No, he changed your whole picture with the blood of Jesus. He has erased every last trace of sin, every last imperfection, and he has made you perfect in Him.

“The next time you look at a picture of yourself, do me a favor and see it as God does—an image of His masterpiece, redeemed from sin, created to love and serve Him. Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in God’s hands.”

Pictures. Sometimes we look good and sometimes we look bad. But when God looks at us, we are lovely in His eyes.

By His Grace . . .