Don’t Put God in a Box
I am an amateur photographer who is so in love with God’s artistry. I can’t help myself from trying to capture all of what He offers. You will often find me with a camera in hand. If it’s not my phone, then my Kodak 1080. But whatever the means, I’m fascinated by all of God’s creation and often hunt beautiful moments in which to snap the perfect memory.
It’s true that God gives us the desires of our hearts. He knows how much I love to capture wildlife on film and so He often gifts me with incredible opportunities. Pictures that only experts capture are often images I get to walk away with. If we ask Him, He delights in showing off for us. Little did I know how often I put God in a box, though.
Have Camera Will Travel
One sunny, but cold February morning in 2012. I was working for a cute little flower shop in downtown Pagosa Springs, Co, The Wildflower. I had several deliveries to make and since I always travel with my camera, I was ready for whatever God wanted to show me along the way. I was on my last delivery down Highway 151 and headed back for the shop when a bald eagle caught my attention. Perched high in a ponderosa pine tree and looking quite regal, he posed just for me. I pulled my car over to the side of the road and pulled out my Kodak 1080.
With the frigid temperatures outside I knew I wouldn’t last long to wait for the perfect shot so I asked my heavenly father, “God, would you give me a wingspan?” I wanted the six-foot wingspan to make my image even grander. I grabbed my camera from the car.
I stood there with my hands raised, the camera pressed firmly to my right eye, and my right index finger placed on the trigger button, waiting in anticipation. I just knew at any minute my eagle would spread his wings and soar to the heavens, all for my entertainment and God’s glory.
You can imagine my disappointment when he didn’t move. The cold was wreaking havoc on my bones and I began to shiver. Please, God? It’s not beneath me to beg.
Wait For It
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw another bird approaching. I became anxious. I didn’t want another bird in my photo. I just wanted my bird with its wingspan. I started to whine and complain. “No, No, No,” I grumbled firmly under my breath. “Don’t you mess up my shot!” I scolded that bird as if I had any authority to redirect him. Then, a thought entered my brain, maybe God is sending that bird to distract my bird and get him to open its wings. Okay, I can get on board with that. I waited a bit longer. As the other bird approached, I resumed my position. I started snapping pictures like I held a machine gun instead of a camera. I fired one round after another in their direction. I must have taken 100 pictures in 20 seconds. The other bird came and went. I never took my eyes off my eagle.
You can imagine how disappointed I was when my eagle didn’t move. That other bird flew right in front of him, and my eagle was a statue. So still I thought, is that even an eagle? I lowered the camera down to my side and stared up in his direction. He must have read my thoughts because his head moved from left to right to say, “Yeah. I’m a real eagle. Not just a naked limb from a lightning strike.” Ha!
Did I mention how disappointed I was? I didn’t get my wingspan. I couldn’t bear the cold any longer and I needed to get back to work so I loaded my camera back in my car and headed back to the shop, defeated. God had never let me down before.
I Couldn’t Wait Any Longer
Back at the Wildflower, I finished my duties and clocked out for the day. I couldn’t wait any longer to view the images I captured and got permission to use the computer. I retrieved my camera from my car and removed the SD Card with all the images I took that morning. As I scrolled through them, I asked God, “Why didn’t you give me a wingspan, God? You’ve never denied me my heart’s desire before. Was my heart in the wrong place?”
Suddenly, my eyes caught an image I will never forget. My mouth dropped open and my heart pounded in my chest. Then, as if God spoke in an audible voice, He declared, “Oh, Child. What you asked of me is simple. What I have for you is so much bigger than anything you could imagine. Do you see what I was showing you? Consumed with your own idea of what I can do, you missed the very fact that what you considered a distraction was the actual gift I was sending you. Don’t be fooled by your limited ways. Cause my thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways.” (Isaiah 55:8)
I asked for a wingspan but had it in my mind how it should look. But God had a much better plan for me. Doesn’t He always?
Take Away
Don’t put God in a box with our small minds and small imaginations. He is so eager to love us through His grand gestures. Look. He’s revealing himself to you all day long! Keep your eyes and hearts wide open and receive His gifts. He’s waiting to show you remarkable things!
Previously posted on FaithFraze @ Faitherichardson.com https://faitherichardson.com/?p=441
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