Pride

Some background information

When I was a teenager I loved taking photographs of family members. In particular I enjoyed capturing images of my sister’s children. Landscape and artistic photography was less of an interest to me. Although I did love capturing things like great sunsets with red skies and beautiful scenery it was mainly people that interested me. I enjoyed capturing them at decisive moments. When they were doing something of interest or had expressions that revealed their character. I particularly loved capturing humorous expressions.

That love of photography turned out to be a lifelong hobby. In fact when I was in my late forties I studied photography at night school for some seven years. I completed 94 percent of the subjects required for a Diploma of Applied Science in Photography. Due to a back injury and the fact that the remaining subjects had to be done during the daytime I was unable to complete the course. It would have meant giving up my job as a Civil Engineer and the loss of most of my superannuation benefits.

For many years I used to read about and study photography almost every day. I joined a camera club and was the Education Director there for the final six years of my membership. I am now no longer a member of the club.

In summary, I absolutely loved photography. It was my whole life.

How things changed

When I experienced my epiphany things changed. I did not wish to lose my lifelong interest in photography but that is what happened. 

I felt that my involvement with the camera club was leading me to enter photo competitions in an effort to gain recognition as a good photographer. My involvement in educational activities was to a large degree driven by a desire to demonstrate my knowledge rather than to assist others gain the skill that they wanted. 

My attitude was prideful and my need for recognition just fell away. That was not a conscious decision on my part and did not happen as a result of my study of Christian belief. It happened before I had read anything on the topic and arose automatically immediately that I met the Holy Spirit. It was an instant change and I remember saying to one of the camera club members that the experience had completely messed up my photography.

What’s love of photography got to do with it ?

The reason for telling my story here is that my original love of photography was based on my love for others. My love of family and my love of the natural world that was created by God. I had poured everything into learning about something that I loved and in which I saw beauty and humour. The appreciation of humour was simply an extension of my own character. 

I have always looked at life with humour and it’s something that comes to the fore when I am happy and in good company. During progression of my life, however, I became affected by others expressing appreciation of my images. That became my focus. It’s something that we all need; a sense of purpose and a sense of being loved. I was trying to fulfil that need but didn’t realise that it was something that was always available to me because God loves us all.

1 John 4:19 – We love because he first loved us.

Psalm 136:26 – Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

The problem with pride

Now, you might say, there is nothing wrong with pride. It makes us feel great and surely it’s something that we should all strive for. After all, having pride in what we do gives us drive and commitment. That’s true enough but it doesn’t in the long run bring what you are seeking. It can make us self-obsessed and, if that happens, we are always striving for more recognition in order to feed our ego.

Philippians 2:3 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

But pride in others is a different matter. It’s only natural to have pride in your children when they do something right. When they exhibit good character and are kind to others. The real problem with pride is when it makes us feel full of ourselves. The bible describes it as being puffed up and boastful. When it gets to that point it becomes damaging to our character.

1 Corinthians 8:1 – Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

James 4:16 – But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Finding my true self

My meeting with the Holy Spirit resulted in the immediate loss of those damaging attitudes and behaviours. Like the lost sheep described in the bible I had been brought back to the fold. I became my true self. Although I still appreciate photography it is for the reason that it is able to capture truth and beauty in the world. No longer is it about me. 

1 Peter 2:25 – For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.