God has blessed me with the gift of photography. I love my gift, but I am not always confident in my gift. This past weekend I was given the opportunity to photograph the Live Out Loud Fashion Show. It was something that I was looking forward to until Saturday came around. Since, I didn’t have to proper equipment to photograph this show, I had to reserve a camera lens and I needed to pick it up on Saturday. My day was so full of meetings that I completely forgot to pick it up. I didn’t remember until 6:30 that afternoon and the place closed at 4. Unfortunately, the place was closed on Sunday as well. I went through a mini meltdown in the kitchen as I was trying to figure out how in the world I was going to be able to shoot this show. The day of the show came and I was completely stressing out to the point I almost decided not to go. Then I remembered to pray. I asked my mom to pray for me to do well as I prepared to leave. As always, my mom was right there praying for me (did I tell you how much I love my mom)! I felt better afterwards knowing that God will be by my side!
When I arrived I sat down in the photographers section, and look around at all the other photographers who were prepped and ready to go. Instantly, I felt as though I didn’t belong there. I did not have the right equipment, and everyone else did. I showed up to the show with a kit camera and lens (not good). Another photographer approached me and asked me if I had the credentials to be in that area and I felt small. I know that they took one look at my camera and were like, “what is this amateur doing here?” I had to tell myself that I will do this shoot for the Lord. My best efforts are what are going to make a difference! However, during the show I kept looking at the other photographers and thinking my photos are going to suck compared to theirs’. I compared their work to mine before the show was even over. Fear began to take over, and I almost left. But, God kept reminding me to do what I committed myself to do unto Him. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established”. I wasn’t there for them. I was there to please God with the gift He has given me! No matter how the photos turned out…I was there for Him! One benefit that was received from this whole experience is knowledge on how to do it better next time!
When we compare ourselves to others we tend to shy away from the very thing that we were created to do. I have personally done this several times...depriving myself of ever getting any better at what I do. Looking at other people and how they do things is a distraction! Comparing ourselves to one another is poison to the body. God didn’t create you to be them…He created you to be you! And, you are the only one who can be the best you! Dr. Seuss once wrote, “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you”, and he is so right! Do not compare yourself with anyone. God has a plan for you, and all you have to do is seek Him first! GBY and I love you!
Comments