Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! Psalm 80:17
I almost giggled when I read this Psalm passage for today. Why? I am going to get a head shot taken by a professional photographer in a few days. I am a freelance writer and speaker, and I need to get one done for a website, for future book jackets, etc. slept fitfully last night just thinking about it.
Here’s the thing.I’m more than camera shy. I am a big time camera phobic. I. So much so, when looking through the photo album I could’nt find one picture of myself not posed in a crowd of family since 1995. In other words, all the pictures of me are very small and half hidden.
Then it hit me like a two-by-four. Whack! I am supposed to reflect God’s love in the world. If I am ashamed of how I look, if I’m that self -conscious, am I hindering that from happening? Because in the attempt not to be the center of the photo of life, but melting into a crowd, how can I stand out for Jesus? How can I ” let my light so shine before men that they see my good works and glorify my Father in Heaven“? (Matthew 5:16) My face needs to shine forth the God of love who is in my heart and part of my life. Even in a photo. How can I do His work half hidden and feeling small? I can’t because I’m focused on me- not Him.
Restore me O Lord, God of Hosts.(Take away this silly phobia of cameras. I’m Your child whom You lovingly created to glorify You.) Let your face shine (through me) so I may be saved ( from fear, condemnation and the sin of pride when I look in the mirror and only see me and not You who made me and whose Spirit dwells within). Amen.
