During my early days of interest in photography, I have learned that the basics of taking clear pictures hinge on setting on one’s eyes on the subject. You either zoom in or zoom out your camera lens to highlight the images you want to capture. You zoom in to make the image appear bigger and you zoom out to make the image smaller. In either case, you need to “focus” first the lens on the specific subject so that a clear picture can be taken. To do it, one has to make adjustments on the focusing ring so that the subject becomes very distinct and separated from the background. And to add vividness, you either increase or decrease the amount of light entering your camera lens by controlling the lens opening.

In physics, focus is arrived at by converging the light rays, heat, or other forms of radiation to a central point after being reflected or refracted. The objective is to put together all the rays to produce energy that can power equipment, cut hard objects, or illuminate objects, etc. You can observe this phenomenon in laser beam cutters and spotlights.

When genuine Christians get together, their focus should be on heavenly things and not on earthly things. Apostle Paul stresses this in Colossians 3:2-4 says ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

To focus on things above does not mean we have to distance ourselves from other people and live like a hermit in this present world. It is impractical and miserable for a person to do so. (Just imagine driving a cart pulled by a horse along with modern cars and trucks in the middle of a busy street in a city!) Rather, it means we must acknowledge our weaknesses and direct our attention fully to Christ for help and guidance so that the image of Christ is clearly projected or reflected in our lives and seen by people.

*****mbl*****