Cross Points 2.19.21

If you are a friend of mine on Facebook, you know that I love to take pictures.  It’s one of three reasons I participate in that social media format (to see pictures of our kids and grandkids, to connect with people I might not otherwise, and to enjoy posting pictures).  It’s been a passion of mine since high school when I was the school photographer for two years (my kids would think I’m ancient if they saw the black and white Nikon camera I used back then, with attached flash that used bulbs you had to replace with each picture taken inside, the film sent off at the Rexall Drug store downtown weekly to be developed).  We’ve come a long way with photography since then, now most use their phones to take pictures (who would have thunk back in 1969, when our phones were still attached to the wall).  

I’m not an expert when it comes to developing film (which no one does anymore anyway), nor with all the lighting and filtering features that can be used.  But I am decent in knowing how to frame a picture.  Framing a picture is key to the end-product.  You’ve seen it many times, I’m sure, how Aunt Polly has Uncle Ted stop along the road on vacation so she can snap a quick picture out the window of the mountains in the distance.  At least you think they are mountains, it’s hard to tell, maybe it’s an ant hill.  Or Aunt Polly quickly takes a picture of the family group gathered but doesn’t notice the trash can on the right side, or the decorative arrow on the wall that appears to go through Uncle Ted’s head.  Of course, nowadays you can crop pictures on your phone, so that helps.

But you get it.  What the photographer includes (the objective of the photo) and what they exclude (the unwanted items that clutter), makes a huge difference in the perspective of the person viewing that picture.  The angle, the sun’s location, the photographer’s positioning, all impact what the viewer sees.  But here’s the thing, a good photographer can make a scene look beautiful when (if you were there) the reality is not so pretty.  That picture of 2-year old Sally smiling with twinkles in her eyes is much better if you crop out 4-year old brother Tom who has his tongue out next to her.
 
Much of what we see in America currently through the news media is not a clear picture of reality.  There is a lot of framing going on.  That “cop” who seems to be abusing the minority person makes the headlines, but not the 99% of the police force who maintain law and order in a respectable way.  One candidate’s personality is painted as radical, while his accomplishments are cropped out.  Another’s personality is painted calm and collected, while his radical agenda is left on the cutting floor.  The majority of sincere Bible believing Christians are disregarded, as an odd redneck contingency group with strange views makes the headlines.  No matter your view, if you don’t take a step back and gain a broader look, what you see will be what the news media wants you to see.  They have framed the picture, so you see it from their perspective.    

For Christians, recognize this reality but keep walking with faith in Christ, living out your biblical Christian values, loving others like God does while pointing them to their only real hope: Jesus.  Here’s the thing: Jesus frames the picture too, cropping out our sin, while capturing his righteousness!  As you step back to see the broad perspective, your sin is not in sight!  The picture matches reality: Praise his name!!

Cross Point: “Be sober minded, watchful; your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).  He is trying to frame things too!  Do your best to view things as God does.