How do I see God in a photograph?

“How do I see God in a photograph?” That question was posed to me earlier this week. It’s a deep question without any simple answer.

I do think the question is answered best by looking at each photo on an individual basis. However, in this blog post, I will look to answer the question in a more generalized manner.

To see God in a photograph of nature is easy to do. When we look at nature, we can see so much that points to God. The Bible tells us that one of God’s purposes for His creation is to point us to Him.

God Seen in Nature

There are several often-quoted Bible that tell us that nature points to God. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Verses 2-4 goes on to say that nature speaks to us in a way that reveals knowledge about God.

Romans 1:19-20 is another verse that people often quote to show that nature tells us about God. But other lesser-known verses like Psalm 50:6 also tell us that nature points to God. This verse says that “The heavens declare His righteousness.”

So, if nature points us to God and God reveals Himself to us through nature, it makes sense that we would see Him in our photographs of nature.

Different nature photographs reveal to me various aspects of God. I see His majesty in a landscape photo. I see His love and provision in a photograph of birds feeding on sunflower seeds. I see His graciousness in a photograph of wildflowers. And I see His transcendence in a photograph of an eagle pressed up against a seemingly infinite blue sky.

How Do I See God in Other Forms of Photography

But the question of “How do I see God in a photograph?”, is not only answered in nature photography, but it is also answered in other forms of photography as well. We can see God in photographs of culture and of life. Portraits of people, wedding photos, photos of children playing, photographs of the struggle in athletic competition and photographs of human emotion along with many other types of photography reveal something of God to us. Even that fun selfie of you and your friends or family, in some way reveals God to us.

How do I see God in a photograph? In so many different and powerful ways. And when I see Him in my photographs, it speaks to my heart and draws me nearer to him.

Photography stirs our emotions, and just like nature, human emotion point us back to our Creator.

Seeing God in Your Photography

So, my challenge to you is to look at your own photography. How do you see God in your own photography, both collectively and individually. Examine the photographs you’ve taken. Take a deep look at them. Try to remember what moved you to take them.

While looking at them, ask yourself the questions, “How do I see God in this Photograph?” And also ask, “What does seeing God in this photograph mean to me in my own life?”, “How does it draw me nearer to Him?”. Because, it’s not just about seeing God in a photograph, but how we respond when we do see God.

I bet you will be amazed by your own answers.

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