A view through a lens draws us in. Focus. Attention. Details.

Through a lens images become more crisp and clear. The vision of what is and what is supposed to be comes into view. A single blade of grass enhanced with a turn of the zoom.

The purpose of the lens is to capture the essence of how the photographer sees the world around Him. The lens displays the creativity of the artist and the His captured view of beauty. But not just any lens will do. It has to be the right lens for subject matter.

The right lens makes all the difference.

1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV) says, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know it part; but then I shall know even as I am known.”

When I am the photographer in my life, the lens I look through is as the verse in 1 Corinthians 13 explains. I see the world around me jaded, veiled by my insecurities. I see through the foggy lens of self doubt. I don’t appreciate my beauty and the majesty of God’s creation around me. The depth and breadth of my beauty (His goodness alive in me) and creations majesty are masked, hidden behind the darkened glass.

When God is the photographer the lens He looks through is NOT dark, streaked or foggy. It is crystal clear. His lens, the right lens, illuminates beauty and causes all of His creation to radiate His glory. I am fully known by Him.

SNAP. FLASH.

He takes a picture and what does He see?

Does He see the insecurity of my callous & cracked outer shell? Or does He zoom in past my shell and focus on my longing hearts? When He snaps the picture, He captures the true essence of who He made me to be. He sees all of me. Fully known. Whole. Complete. Lacking nothing. Radiating His glory.

Perhaps its time to test out His lens. It’s time to exchange my old, foggy, dark lens for His high end zoom lens. With my lens, full of insecurity, hurt & past failures, I can only see in part. With His lens I can be fully known and I can know fully who He made me to be.

What about you? Who’s lens are you looking through? What does your lens illuminate?

Does being fully known by God cause discomfort within you? What makes you afraid to be fully known? How can your life change if you view yourself the way that God views you?