“Let us use what God has given us… power, love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:6,7

As I sat on the porch of our rental condo. At Ponte Vedra Beach recently, I saw an awesome sight. Swimming in the Atlantic, close to shore, were schools of dolphins. Each group had quite a few fish in it, and the multiple number of schools was unbelievable. I spotted this profusion of dorsal fins slicing through the waves, and as I watched I saw not only swimming, but jumping and tailing.

This was a most unusual sight, and I hurried to get my camera to capture this event on film! I knew trying to keep this vision in my mind’s eye would fade in time, and I wanted a permanent remembrance. I walked to the water’s edge, poised the camera with zoom extended and snapped away. When the film was developed, I was extremely disappointed, for the photos were very poor. My zoom lens had not been strong enough, and my timing had been off- enough to make the photos blurry and indistinguishable. I had been unable to capture on film the sight I had seen because I had been ill equipped to adequately do so.

When we want to show someone a picture of Jesus, we do so through the way we live our lives. Maybe it’s time to check our equipment, so we will be prepared. Are we reading the Bible, spending time in prayer — listening to Him as well as talking, and opening ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit each and every day? What about our timing? Are we sensitive to God’s perfect timing in our lives- available to “snap that lens” when He directs us, not when I so decide.

Proper equipment is necessary not only in photography, but also in living the Christian life.

Prayer- thank you, Lord for the beauty of the dolphins I saw, and for the reminder I received .Every Christian needs to keep his or her spiritual equipment in good order so we can more faithfully serve in Your Name and by the power of Your Spirit.

Marion Smith noles65@aol.com