Zoom Lens
Recently I was at a baby shower where the guest of honor was preparing to open gifts. Someone called for a photographer, and I volunteered to take the pictures. I had a pretty decent seat, so I figured I could take some good snaps. Unfortunately, I didn't have my own camera; I had a friend's camera. The first thing I noticed was that there was no zoom feature on her "point-and-shoot" camera. I realized I've become pretty accustomed to using my zoom lens to isolate just the image I want. I can eliminate distracting stuff in the foreground or be a little more creative with the focus.
Then, just the other day, I was on the community college campus, taking some reconnaissance pictures for our "God in the Great Outdoors" service. I wanted to get some basic shots of the amphitheater area, so that we could analyze the sunlight and shadows. I stood up at the top of the amphitheater, and used my zoom lens to focus on certain areas. It took me about three minutes. I actually felt lazy, standing in one area and zooming my focus all over the place, rather than just walking down to the open area. It's so easy to stand far away and use the lens to do the work for me.
As I stood there, a thought struck me that some people prefer to do ministry like that. To stand back and zoom in for a quick strike, perhaps isolate one particular person or one individual event, and then zip right back into the distance. I think when it comes to ministry, it's better to walk all way down and actually participate in the wide-angle perspective that includes everything.
Then, just the other day, I was on the community college campus, taking some reconnaissance pictures for our "God in the Great Outdoors" service. I wanted to get some basic shots of the amphitheater area, so that we could analyze the sunlight and shadows. I stood up at the top of the amphitheater, and used my zoom lens to focus on certain areas. It took me about three minutes. I actually felt lazy, standing in one area and zooming my focus all over the place, rather than just walking down to the open area. It's so easy to stand far away and use the lens to do the work for me.
As I stood there, a thought struck me that some people prefer to do ministry like that. To stand back and zoom in for a quick strike, perhaps isolate one particular person or one individual event, and then zip right back into the distance. I think when it comes to ministry, it's better to walk all way down and actually participate in the wide-angle perspective that includes everything.