I first heard this quote in a sales-type seminar I was attending and I loved it – mostly because I was deep into digital photobook and family history work. So photos, cameras, motivational work – it all appealed to me. But when the catchphrase “Life is Like a Camera” popped up again recently, I was in a different place and wanted to dig deeper into it.
Here’s the quote:
Life is like a camera.
Focus on what’s important.
Capture the good times.
Develop from the negatives.
And if things don’t work out, just take another shot.
As I checked it out further, I learned it was from Ziad K. Abdelnour, born in Lebanon in 1960. Sources said he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of finance, a Wall Street financier, a venture capitalist, an oil and gas trader, and an author. His books are widely read and appreciated for their insights into the world of wealth creation.
I really resonated with the quote and liked its motivational feel, so I was not surprised when I saw reference to it as “a metaphorical masterpiece…embraced by millions.” It was called a “staple in the lexicon of motivational literature and personal development.”
OK, so I need to give it the final test, in my opinion. How does it match up with Scripture?
First – Focus on what’s important. Yes, I have a DSLR camera and love getting really good shots. So I could relate to the “focus” part, just like a camera focuses on a subject and blurs out the background. I liked one observation that said we need to focus on what truly matters in our lives – the noise, distractions, trivialities of life should be blurred out leaving only what is truly important in sharp focus. I liked that – and of course, that just points me to the Lord as the only true focus which I should keep in sharp view at all times to give my life direction and purpose.
James 4:14-15 commenting on how we lay out our plans of where we will go, what we will do and for how long – “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”
Second – Capture the good times. Yes, we should capture the good times as a reminder to cherish special moments – like a camera snaps & captures that moment – and preserves it. I view this as being intentional about seeing and remembering what the Lord has done in my life in so many ways and so many areas.
Deuteronomy 6:20-24 “When your son asks you…’What is the meaning of the…statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand….showed signs and wonders….brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers….to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us….”
Proverbs 4:20-22 “My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.”
Third – Develop from the Negatives. Photos caught on film don’t just ‘appear’ but they have to be developed. And even digital photos are ‘created’ in a sense when light hits an image sensor in the camera and converts the light into electronic signals. These are processed and stored as image files on a memory card which have to be pulled into a special program to be viewed and downloaded – a different type of ‘developed’. Often, the negatives in our lives hold the greatest lessons – as someone wisely stated it “challenges shape us, failures teach us, and pain refines us.”
Psalms 42:11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Isaiah 48:10 “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”
Fourth – Take Another Shot. Not every picture turns out like we hope it will – some are blurry, or we miss the exact moment we wanted and it is gone. I loved someone’s comment on this that life, like photography, gives us multiple chances. If things don’t go as planned, take another shot. Start over. Make adjustments, try again. This wisdom needs only to focus on knowing the Lord of your life as your Savior, and thankfully, when your heart is there, you do have His unlimited grace and mercy.
Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Okay, I know you are able to come up with many more, even more on point, scriptures. But I hope this just gets you started in thinking through the same thing that came forward when I was so drawn to this succinct and pithy saying. What does scripture say on this subject – and does the point and wisdom in this line up with scripture? I now feel confident I can recite this wisdom in this particular saying when I have God’s perspective in mind.
One source made a point I truly appreciated – and will share with you as a wrap-up. She said (in talking about this saying) that “Life is but a snapshot compared to eternity with Him.” Now that REALLY resonates with me!
