Is There Anything New Under the Sun?

One of the many struggles for a landscape photographer is coming up with original shots. The reality is, in many forms of art, it's pretty much all been done. It's likely that every chord progression in music has been played, that every type of composition has been painted, drawn, or photographed, that every type of story has been written or shown on screen.

There's nothing new under the sun.

It makes it a very daunting task then, to come up with something new.

So, what's the point? Good question.

As I undertake this endeavor of trying to bring the stories of creation, art, and Scripture together, the comfort I have is in knowing that everything we do for the glory of God, has purpose.

It's hard for me to explain, but it causes me to worry less about the originality.

One thing that some amateur photographers will say is that, while another may have photographed a place to death, it doesn't mean the amateur has. I hope that makes sense.

In the same way, just because some have documented every corner of the globe. How many have done it for the glory of God?

At the risk of sounding prideful at this point, I want to say that I just mean that this is perhaps, in some circles and in some ways, a newer approach. Maybe I'm crazy. Probably.

I guess the long and short of it, is that in any endeavor, whether a creative field or any other industry. The Christian has the 'advantage' in a sense. Not because we are any better. Paul makes it clear that not many among Christians are of a high status in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. But, in our calling, as it is an eternal one. It does not vanish with time. It doesn't devalue.

I can take the greatest photograph of all time. But at some point, it will be dethroned by someone else. Writing the greatest song of all time, same deal. Awesome movie? Another story will come along that's better.

And so, no matter what we find to do, we should always do it to the best of our ability, for the greatest of all purposes: to glorify God.

And so, while there is nothing new under the sun, it really doesn't matter; Our purposes ought to be for eternity, and as such, how can it ever go out of style?

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