Thursday, December 23, 2010

Photosensitive

It's fascinating how much of photography is determined by light alone. The art itself, literally defined as "writing with light," is so heavily composed of the interplay of shadow and sun that even color is completely ineffectual in enhancing a photo if there is no good contrast from the onset.

A little further in, the definition of photography hits on the method more succinctly: "the art or process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces." Incredible to think that there are surfaces designed for the sole intent of absorbing light so that an image may emerge.

Yet that is God's design for us. He says in Jeremiah 31:33, "'But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days,' declares the LORD, 'I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people'" (cf Heb. 8:10, 10:16).

John 3 makes plain that we are creatures with an affinity toward darkness rather than the Light, for our deeds were evil (v. 19-20; see Job 24:13). Yet, rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Col. 1:13), our souls bear the image of the Light to whom we are exposed. Second Corinthians states, "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

Through various passages, the Bible makes clear that our beings are the surface upon which God 'writes with light,' using the stylus of His truth [Jn. 17:17] to bear upon our beings the word implanted (Js. 1:21), the commandment which enlightens our eyes (Ps. 19:8), and the wisdom by which a man's countenance is brought to beam (Ecc. 8:1). He is the Light of life (Jn. 8:12), in whom we see light (Ps. 36:9).

For the One who spoke light into existence (Gen. 1:3), who is Himself the radiance of God's glory (Heb. 1:3) and who will ultimately illumine heaven by His sheer Being (Rev. 21:23), came into the world, that those who believe in Him may not remain in darkness (Jn. 12:46) but have a great light dawn upon them (Mt. 4:16; cf Is. 9:2). And it is to His good purpose and pleasure that we, who were formerly darkness and are now Light in the Lord (Eph. 5:8), reflect the Lord's glory, being transformed into His image through the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).

For God, in whom "there is no darkness at all" (1 Jn. 1:5) and with whom "there is no variation or shifting shadow" (Js. 1:17), has created our souls to be 'light-sensitive,' that He may write upon those who once 'dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death' (Ps. 107:10, 14) the image of His Son, into whose likeness we are being conformed [Ro. 8:29].

Let us therefore proclaim the 'excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light' (1 Pe. 2:9), as we cry with whole-hearted, reverent adoration, "The LORD my God illumines my darkness" (Ps. 18:28).

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