When I head out into the morning light with my cameras slung over my shoulder, I work to open my eyes and my thought to God’s inspiration, his “wondrous works,” in the beauty of Pyramid Point. The two-hour window when the sun’s rays are sifted through the morning mist, provides radiant vistas over the hills, and magnifies the dew glistened wildflowers of the meadows.  For me it’s an inspiring time to capture glimpses of the magnificence of God’s glory. I remember the first summer several years ago when I began using digital photography. To be able to shoot all the photos I wanted was quite an adjustment. With the ability to see images immediately, I quickly became tuned in to seeing photo opportunities throughout camp. It was exciting to be able to explore so many more techniques with angles, composition, and lighting. I also learned a huge lesson that summer. I learned to keep my camera at the highest resolution possible at all times. Photos taken at the highest setting have the best clarity and the finest detail. They can be cropped or enlarged without distorting the image. Working with my camera at the highest resolution, I have more flexibility with the images, and therefore more perfect results.

It’s hard to avoid the metaphor to our work as spiritual thinkers and healers, here. In photographic work, one trains his eye to see what others may not see. He takes in the full subject and trains his eye to see or discern the photograph, the image that expresses the inspiration he’s looking for. This illustrates our responsibility as Christian Scientists to open our eyes to the highest resolution and discern the divine truths that come through spiritual enlightenment, and not settle for images clouded by mortal vision. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is our guide for finding the highest setting. The lessons in that sermon help us to discern the clearest image of God and Man. This image includes the truth that God is all-power, all-presence, the one Mind, the All-in-all, and that man is His image and likeness. The highest setting for spiritual seeing is God and His law.

When we are obedient to the laws of God our eyes are opened and our thought is clear, we crank up the mega-pixels, and glorious possibilities come to view before us. We realize that each day affords fresh opportunities to glorify God; to express more of the Christly characteristics of love, patience, humility, gentleness, forgiveness. I pray daily that my ears may be opened to hear that still small voice guiding me; that Truth be established in my heart, and that no error of any sort can make me forget God’s tender care and goodness. This sentiment is expressed so well in these lines from Hymn 66:

Thou, Soul, inspiring – give us vision clear,
Break earth-bound fetters, sweep away the veil,
Show the new heaven and earth that shall prevail.
Alleluia! Alleluia!