A Snapshot

The limitations of pictures depress me. Someone will come back from a trip to Tibet, show you a picture of Everest, then expect you to be overwhelmed with the immensity of their 4x6 piece of paper with ink on it. If this really worked, no one would need to go vacation in Tibet anymore. I am equally depressed when I look at pictures from my past, that no longer have their emotional power. The memories have faded, so the picture is now just an image.

I feel frustrated trying to relay my relationship with God to others. I want them to understand how awesome the snapshot I'm showing them is. "Isn't Jesus so cool!" Sorry, cool is a trite way to describe the most significant part of my existence.

"Yea, Jason. That's a nice picture. Very neat."

Sometimes when people think the picture is insignificant, that means the thing itself is too.

Pictures do have the ability to peak peoples interest. Like when I drove through Nebraska. I had seen pictures of Chimney Rock and Scotts bluff. They didn't seem all that exciting, but I was within thirty minutes anyway, why not check them out? The pictures weren't powerful, but sitting there, looking across Scotts bluff, the rest of the plain standing in contrast to the rocks, it was surreal. I definitely want to go back. The picture gave me a push to go see what I was already close to.

I'm grateful that following Jesus isn't about my perfection. for reasons I won't say, I am quite aware of my potential to be a disgusting person. I feel like one of those pictures where someone stuck their thumb halfway over the lens.

If my relationship with God were a picture, I would hope it looks something like a child stained in mud, being hugged by his father unashamedly.