The Art of Zooming In

Recently I have been exploring a new hobby: iPhoneography (which it turns out is a real word). A form of photography, but instead of using massive expensive cameras with complicated bells and whistles, I prefer to use my iPhone (which is always with me anyway). As I've been enjoying shooting landscapes and sharing them, I've been thinking about what it takes to get a good photo.

"The art of photography is all about directing the attention of the viewer."

--Steven Pinker  

Directing the attention of the viewer requires first of all directing the attention of the photographer. Getting a good shot requires being present in the moment. Some might think its all about being in the right place at the right time--but you can be in the best place at the best time, and still miss the beauty of the moment! If you are fully present and looking for beauty, you will find it--no matter where you are.

A good photo portrays beauty even in the context of boring-ness or even ugliness. It's all about finding a nugget of beauty and zooming in on it so that it stands complete on its own. It's training the eye to see beyond the distractions of the bigger picture and to frame simple beauty. To do this also requires being present in the moment and not just looking, but really seeing what's around you.

Zooming in. Pushing aside distractions. Focusing. Being present.

Sounds a lot like what we aim to do here at camp!

Here at The Oaks we served almost 15,000 guests and campers this past year. Some were part of our programmed summer/winter/family camps for inner-city kids and families. Many came up with their churches or ministries to have a weekend retreat. Some of them came up with their schools for outdoor science camp. All of them left their homes in cities and suburbs and came here for a specific purpose.

Whether we consider ourselves urban, suburban, or rural, all of our lives are filled with busy-ness and distractions, now more than ever before. According to Berkeley sociologist Todd Gitlin,

"People are submitting themselves to time-devouring technology.We're a nerve-racked society where people have difficulty sitting back and thinking of the purpose of what they do."  

Ouch. And technology is only one facet of distractions we face in today's world.

Often its hard to see beyond our immediate surroundings and responsibilities and zoom in on what's really important. That's what makes camp so special: it removes us from the busy, distracted life and directs our attention. It's in this position of zooming in on God that beauty comes in the form of truth, filling and transforming in a way that wouldn't be possible if we hadn't stepped out of our normal routine.

Last weekend 240 campers from several California inner-city areas came to Winter Camp at The Oaks. As they spent concentrated time basking in nature, taking on new challenges, and focusing on Jesus, He brought forth abundant beauty and transformation.

And not because Jesus is any more present at camp than he is in any other place or time. But because they stopped their busy lives, noticed Him, and chose to focus in on Him. Jesus is always there--we just don't always see.

A good photo catches the eye of the viewer, stunning the viewer by portraying the extraordinary in the midst of the ordinary.  And here at camp, we desire to create a setting where every single guest and camper is stunned by the Extraordinary. That God catches the eye of their souls and transforms them. And that they will take home with them a renewed perspective that covers their normal, everyday life with hope, love, and grace.

"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)