As I got out of my car, I knew I was in for a long journey. I just purchased a 12 foot crane for my camera and I was not passing up the opportunity to shoot this beautiful sunset with my new toy. My vision ever since I began filming is to show the beauty of Yahweh. But if I was to show off this shot, it was going to cost me. I had to enter at the very bottom of the hill and the road up was covered in a foot of snow. My crane bag, because of weights and my tripod is around 70 lbs.
Now remember, this is a mountain – AKA it’s steep! I’m not positive, but it’s probably about a ½ mile from where I started to the very top. I got about 50 yards and stopped; out of breath and not sure if I could do it. I prayed, asked the Lord to give me strength to do this, and pushed forward. After my second stop, there was no turning back. I took my 54 inch long bag full of 70 lbs. and put it on the top of my shoulders which sat on top of my camera bag.
My neck was feeling ragged and my arms became weak but I pushed on, listening to Jason Upton’s Fly. I heard the angel sing and looked up to see a cross in my shadow! It was powerful. Although I wasn’t carrying anyone’s burden or attempting to save someone’s life through this shoot, God spoke to me. Here is what I recognized during my journey to the cross this week:
Finding ourselves at the cross of Christ is no easy journey. In almost every occasion, the person is hunched over with a burden they are carrying on their shoulders and once they commit to the journey, there is no turning back. The salvation experience aside, the journey up that mountain to the cross is arduous and painful. There is no easy way to get there. There is no escalator waiting for us. Going to the cross is an uphill battle. Nevertheless, it’s a battle that has already been won. Because of the cross, our past life and sinful adventures are wiped away, made as white as snow and that is why it’s called the Gospel or Good News! But there is also another side to the coin. We must pick up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Carrying that heavy bag up that mountain gave me a new perspective. Life will always be tough when following Jesus. Sure there will be times of rest and times to celebrate, but taking up ones cross is a difficult excursion. However, the reward is priceless. When I got to the top of the mountain to film what I knew would be a beautiful sunset, I was greatly rewarded (Even though I didn’t get the perfect shots I wanted, the view was breathtaking and a reward in and of itself). Which leads me to something else the Lord showed me, specifically concerning identity.
Sunsets and sunrises. They’re beautiful. They’re breathtaking. Watching a beautiful sunset/rise is something I could sit and watch for hours. And even though that sunset/rise is in and of itself the same thing every single day, each sunset is unique and beautiful because of either the clouds or no clouds or the place where you’re watching it and/or the season of life you’re in. Yahweh is the same today, yesterday and forever. Yet each new day brings something new and beautiful. Each thing His light touches brings forth an irreplaceable masterpiece. You are part of that masterpiece. You have the ability to have God’s light shine upon you to create a wonderful painting and story for the whole world to see!
If you’re in a tough season of your life, I encourage you to take time and watch a beautiful sunset or wake up early and watch a sunrise. No music. No distractions. Just sit, watch and soak in the beauty of what Yahweh has created.
