Paparazzi Preparedness!

I love to look at PICTURES of children. It seems the older we get the less we want our PICTURE taken. That’s not the case with most children. When they know a camera is around they are drawn to it with as big a smile and as much cuteness as they can muster. Then there are the times some pretty funny stuff is captured on film when they are not looking. Some of those things have earned families big money by having their videos aired on the “America’s Funniest Videos” television program.

I do not envy the lives of celebrities and other famous people. It is very difficult for them to live private lives. Whether they want it or not there are those who are always prepared to snap a PICTURE. Just one click of the camera at an opportune time and that moment becomes immortalized. And not all the PICTURES that end up being published in newspapers or magazines are flattering. Sometimes I wonder if the “paparazzi” (free lance photographers who aggressively pursue celebrities for the purpose of taking candid photographs) following them around are actually looking for the shot that might show these celebrities at their worst. Since it is so hard for the famous (and infamous) to hide from all the cameras, the pressure is on to try to be at their best at all times.

Someone has said, “All the world is a camera: look pleasant please!” [source: sentence sermons]

As we try to live the Christian life there are those who may try to accusingly catch us at our worst. We are not perfect people, being as much in need of God’s grace as the rest of the world. However, is our aim to always be at our best, demonstrating that though we sometimes struggle, we still sincerely accept and keep God’s Word as the standard for all of life? We may not always be aware when others are looking to see what our Christian faith truly means to us. What PICTURES are developing as the eyes of the world are upon us?

Note the manner of living Paul encouraged.
“(14) Do ALL THINGS without grumbling or questioning, (15) that you may be BLAMELESS AND INNOCENT, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD, (16) holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” ( Philippians 2:14-16 ESV)

Note also Peter’s exhortation and the hopeful effect.
“(11) Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (12) KEEP YOUR CONDUCT among the Gentiles HONORABLE, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS AND GLORIFY GOD on the day of visitation.” ( 1 Peter 2:11-12 ESV)

As we live conscious of the many eyes upon us, let us be mindful of the PICTURE we are leaving to be captured. There is no need to look around to see who’s watching if we simply decide to always live to glorify God. Doing our best to live approved of God ( 2 Timothy 2:15) will provide ample opportunity for images captured of our life that are worthy of framing. Consistently living to His glory is the best way to be “paparazzi” prepared.

Have a great day LIVING A PORTRAIT OF GODLINESS!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Christian Living