Father, May I? – Smile! You’re on Candid Camera! – May 27th

Father, May I Be Developed?
May 27, 2021

Smile! You’re on Candid Camera!

Romans 5:3-5, ‘But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!’ (TPT)

Webster: ‘to bring out the capabilities or possibilities of; bring to a more advanced or effective state’

We have all become quite spoiled and accustomed to the new era of digital photography. In fact, by and large, I imagine that is primarily all that exists anymore—digital cameras. Take your cell phone for that matter; a six-inch screen with a teeny little eye can take a picture that is quite comparable to most photographs back in the day, and in addition to that, your entire photo album is hidden within its metal casing.

But there was a time when cameras and 35mm film were a big deal. Everyone recalls the brilliant gold box that encased Kodak 35mm film, and we all remember how expensive it was and how you never wasted a picture. You didn’t snap pic after pic; one usually had to be sufficient. Even Polaroids and Instant Cameras were items to be very cautious with. I remember the first digital camera I used, how I couldn’t wrap my head around snapping pic after pic, and later going back and easily deleting with the touch of a button any picture that wasn’t satisfactory.

Even more fascinating was the darkroom where your prized roll of 35mm film was taken through a lengthy chemical process that would eventually develop what had been captivated on the film. Magically, the images would appear. And if you had sent them into a company to be developed, you received a nifty little package with your pictures, and also a strip of ‘negatives’, just in case you ever wished to have a picture remade.

So is life. We go through a series of events that begin at birth and continue throughout our lives. These instances imprint themselves on us, ingrain us with characteristics and personalities. Sometimes God takes us into His darkroom to develop the character in us that He wishes life’s experiences to embed, the images that He desires to come forth from our encounters. In each of us, children called by Him, there is a specific purpose for us to become as we develop in the dark and difficult circumstances we often have to go through in this life. As we develop, we learn that perseverance and endurance lead to integrity and character and worth.

So if you find yourself in a darkroom, don’t shrink away or dread the negative exposure as your Creator is likely taking His time as you go through a process that will develop and refine you into the image of His Son. You will find yourself in a more effective state after He removes the sledge in your life, as He brings out the capabilities and possibilities He has purposed for you.

I want to know the Father’s opinion about everything!
Won’t you JOURNEY with me this month as we ask our Father, ‘MAY I?’’