Have you ever taken a photograph and considered the vast differences between a photo and a video? Photographs capture a specific, stagnant moment in time. In other words, there is no movement in a picture. Here is a definition of photo from freedictionary.com:
Photo – a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide; recorded by a camera on light-sensitive material
Whatever specific time or place one takes the picture in is the same specific time or place that will show up in the photo.
Conversely, videos provide movement. Videos can effectively be seen as a range of pictures over a range of time, which, when processed produces motion [Note: I am not a photographer, and this is my own general definition of the word ‘video’]. Here is a precise definition of video from Wikipedia:
Video is the technology of electronically capturing , recording , processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.
While the time or place the video is taken in is generally the same as when one views the actual video clip, the specific video can demonstrate a wider range of moments in that time than a photo would.
Comparing Photos to Videos: Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words; Videos are Worth a Million
The Similarities
Here are a few similarities between photos and videos:
• Both capture a moment in time.
• Both provide a memory of a particular event.
• Both offer a way to store information that we otherwise could not store. Ie. (pictures, video clips).
• Both can portray the subject as favorably or as unfavorably as the photographer wants, depending on the timing and other issues.
The Difference
Though there are probably several differences between pictures and videos, I will provide just one here:
• The key difference between photographs and videos is motion. Photos illustrate precise moments in time; videos illustrate time in motion.
Pictures or Videos? Which is More Advantageous to You?
Man: A Great Photographer, But Only an Average Director
As people, we are generally given the ability from God to see photos, but not so much the ability to see the entire video (unless we have some type of prophetic gift). In layman terms, we can see our lives at different phases:
• We can see the beginning (where we were). We can retrieve past photos of our lives.
• We can see the present (where we are). We can take photos in our present state or position.
• We can see the future (where we will be-this is faith by the way). The future snapshot is based on our vision, or more specifically the vision that God places on our hearts.
Despite our ability to take pictures of an exact period in our lives (beginning, present, or future), our inability to see the entire video makes God necessary for our success. He can see all three phases of our lives simultaneously!
**Note: I believe God has intentionally prevented us from seeing our entire life played out. The reason is because He requires us to have faith in Him and in His guidance.**
Your Life: The Greatest Video Ever Made, and Made by God
God not only sees in video, but He is the great director of the video. Having a director like Steven Spielberg behind the camera is one thing. However, having God Himself as the director is entirely different, and much more beneficial. God can see the entire movie played out from beginning to end. He knows everything. He sees all the obstacles in front of us as well as the opportunities that will abound. He knows the return on investment (ROI), or profit in producing the movie [See Isaiah 55:11]. Similarly, God knows the budget and resources required to launch the movie. Nonetheless, the best thing is that God has paved a path to your success, because He sees in video [See Proverbs 3:6].
Allow the Director to Direct the Movie
There is a reason behind this photo-video-centric theme: We have to allow God to direct us to success, and steer us away from defeat. If we follow His lead, He will help us get out of our current situation (good or bad), and accomplish that vision that He placed within our hearts [See Psalms 23].
Oh, and just for motivation’s sake, I implore you to equate that ‘vision’ that you see in your ‘future photo’ to God’s Promise. Moreover, if God put the vision in our hearts, why wouldn’t He help us achieve the vision? As the director, He moves us along on the path to success in order for Him to launch a blockbuster (our life)! Finally, God is obligated by Himself (His Word) to keep His covenant, or promise! We just have to keep our part of the covenant; obey Him and move forward in faith.
Takeaway
I will provide you with one important takeaway here that I hope you will apply starting today:
• Allow God to direct the play! It’s a doubtless win. He is your sustainable competitive advantage.
Your Costar,
David
PS. God is *Now Hiring* actors and actresses for a great blockbuster called life!
Please pass this along to others via Twitter and Facebook and have your friends apply within.
