. . . He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians1:6
I took this photo almost 40 years ago now. At that time, I dreamed of being a photojournalist. It sounded adventurous and excited to travel around the world and get shot at. To that end, I wrote for my local and college newspapers. I took journalism courses. And of special interest were my photography classes.
I captured this photo on a ‘photo safari’ that I took with other college students. I developed this, and many other photographs, in my college’s dark room. I was so proud of this masterpiece that I presented my Grandfather with a copy.
My Grandpa sent his glowing praises in a letter. I was so touch by that letter, that I still have it today. In fact, it is my only surviving sample of his penmanship.
During that season of my life, I ‘saw’ the world through the eye of a photographer. Every view, every person, every cityscape was a photo waiting to be captured. It was the first time in my life I felt like I had a creative voice. I felt like I could capture impactful images that communicated important information.
I never became a photojournalist (for which I am grateful!). God took my life in a different direction. Thank You, Lord! I stopped seeing the world in photographs. I forgot all about having a creative voice. I simply lived life.
That is until 5 years ago, when God reminded me that He created me to be creative. He created me to have a voice. God breathed on those latent seeds of creativity He had planted in me before the foundation of the world. And they sprang to life!
I am writing again! I am painting for the first time! And I am having fun doing it! God has given me back my creative voice! God IS faithful to finish what He begins. Praise God!!
That is the reason that I wanted to paint this photograph. But how do I make a black and white photograph interesting to the viewer? How do I convey the message of ‘creative voice’ from this photo that looks like a garbage dump? Come back on Friday; I will post the painting then. Until then, I pray that YOU find your creative voice. Amen!