Being a professional photographer, I get to capture real life miracles in the form of people almost weekly. I get to take pictures of people who have been created after the image of God and have had breath put in their lungs by the Creator of the universe. I shoot engagement sessions where two individuals are celebrating their decision to make and keep a holy covenant before that same Creator. At weddings, it is my responsibility to take those fleeting moments at the alter and transfer their magic into images that can be held tightly for a lifetime. These are all miracles to me, but there is nothing quite like capturing the first few days of a sweet baby’s life here on earth. Every time I show up to a newborn session I promise myself I will not get emotional, I will not be giddy with excitement and will maintain a professional appearance. This has yet to happen. I simply cannot get past the fact that this little one, fresh into the world, was first held in the heart of my Savior. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
While photographing these tiny babes my heart and mind is flooded with the knowledge that they were created to know Him, and to know His goodness. This Scripture says that in the depths of our soul, at the very core of who we are, we know that God is not only real, but that His works are wonderful. Friends, we were created with a soul that knows God is good! I don’t know about you, but realizing this makes it hard to admit all the times I have struggled with fighting the lie from the enemy that God is holding out on me.
It has been in these moments of doubt where God has graciously entered into the quiet of my mind and whispered ever so sweetly that what I am pondering does not come from a place of sincere belief. I have always known God is real, and in the very depths of my soul I have always known that He is good. There are times in our lives, however, when the enemy lures us into believing the lie that God is more justice than grace, rather than perfect in all His ways. A little too far away, not close enough to really understand our circumstances. It is in these times in our lives, when we are waging with our flesh over the goodness of our Creator, that is so very important to remember that Christ prayed for us Himself about this very issue. In John 17, Jesus prayed for us, His sons and daughters, that we would be protected from the lies of the deceiver. And not only that we would be protected, but that we would also live a life that is sanctified in truth.
“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:15-19
Jesus knew that in times of trial, we would be tempted by the enemy to forget that we were created by a Good Father. Before His journey to calvary, Jesus chose to pray for us, that we would be sanctified, set apart, in truth. He prayed that we would plant our feet so firmly in the truth that God loves us, that we would be never be swayed out of believing in our sanctification. The beautiful thing is that He is still interceding on our behalf today. Today, dear friends, He is praying for you. He is praying that in the deepest part of your soul you will know He created you, He loves you, and He is for you.
Stand firm in the faith,
Rachel