#iwannabeaphotographer

Today, I did something really impulsive - I ordered a photography book for beginners, the kind that is supposed to introduce you to the art and hopefully teach you how to take a relatively decent picture. This is impulsive for several reasons:
1) I've always been semi-against taking pictures. I really like the idea of photography, but I've always felt that I don't want to spend too much time behind the lens of a camera and miss living-in-the-moment. In reality, I think this is just an excuse. I'm most likely against pictures because I'm too lazy to ever pull out my camera and because three-year-olds take better pictures than me.
2) I didn't even try to find another item on Amazon to help me qualify for free shipping. I only needed ten more dollars! Only after I finalized the order did I remember a hundred other things that I could have added on. Typical.

For some reason, I'm really excited about the idea of getting this book and fooling around with my old camera. Over the past months, I've had this burning desire to create, whether it be making music or writing or simple crafts from Pinterest. There is an immeasurable joy from creating something from nothing, from being able to attach your name to something that has the potential to inspire and bring joy to others, from being able to let the Holy Spirit flow freely through you to create something that points to Truth and Life. The more I create, the stronger the desire grows. I spend all of my time daydreaming about exploring the city and taking pictures, painting a landscape that's worth hanging up or cooking food that is so rich and wonderful that my friends are always hoping for a dinner invitation. I want so badly to create something that will allow others to see and know Jesus in ways that words often fail to express.

I'm not sure if I'll be good at photography, or if I'll even like it. It excites me, though, that I'm one step closer to hopefully finding something that I'm passionate about and can use to further God's kingdom. I don't think everyone will find a passion in the category of what is classically considered "art" (let's be honest, I probably won't!), but I think it's imperative that everyone creates. Our Father in Heaven is the most beautiful and wonderful Creator ever imaginable, so it only makes sense that we, as image-bearing creatures, would create too! Creation can come in so many forms, from building a spreadsheet to painting a picture to making a grocery list for the week. We are all creators, and I pray that we would use our gifts to create in ways that allow the Lord to do amazing things through us, creation that points to the Ultimate Creator. Amen.