Phoning it in on photography doesn't honor God
This may be the coolest photo I've ever got to take last week when 'company' dropped by Cross Cowboy Ridge here in the Smokey Mountains. Even before becoming a Christian, I've always been uncomfortable 'bragging' about accomplishments but in my past life before going into rodeo/bull riding ministry full time, I was actually an award-winning photographer. It was in photo journalism though which can be more forgiving on the technical skill I see from many of the rodeo photographers out there and it's almost embarrassing, the lack of effort I sometimes put into photos these days, often relying on my phone camera rather than dragging out the better equipment, especially in the dust of a rodeo arena. What I lack in technical skill, I've usually been able to make up for in capturing the right moments. One of the national media awards I got was for a spread I did on a fox hunt. I remember waiting in position for the trailer gate to open and the hounds to be released. I'd never seen a hunt before but like many situations in photo journalism, you have to think ahead and anticipate the moments to come. I will never forget the scene of more than a dozen dogs spilling out over top of each other, being able to grab that moment and having to wait until I processed them in the darkroom to even know for sure I got the shot I hoped was there. For this shot, believe me, there was an open door behind me that I was ready to get into just in case momma bear got angry.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth with precision.
While I often feel like I phone it in with photography these days it's partly because it's hard to shift mindsets. My main focus is to be there in ministry and that's a VERY different headspace than shifting your thinking to look at the composition and lighting of everything you're looking at. Regardless of the reason, I hope I never phone it in with God's word. Mistakes will be made for sure, but I know myself and anyone working with Cowboys of the Cross does their best to teach you well, encourage you and hopefully help you grow closer to the Lord.
Everything we do should bring Him glory whether leaving the gate on the rough stock side of the arena, or snapping a photo from the fence panels. The glory comes through as simple as how we conduct ourselves to giving thanks, like being thankful for the skills God gives us or the opportunity to enjoy some extended moments with God's creations that we don't often get this close to (at least safely). #CowboysOfTheCross