Directing the Blur in our Lives

I learned a new word the other day. I’ve been experimenting with my camera, and I’ve learned about the background blur in quality photos which gives a sharp, clear emphasis on the main subject of a photo. I just never knew it had a name.

Bokeh – (BOH-kay). It’s a Japanese word that means, appropriately, “blur”. It’s the attractive quality of the blur that is produced in the out-of-focus part of a photograph.

Our aspen tree after a snow fall

By focusing on the foreground image in the photo, the background images tend to soften, even seemingly disappear. Oh, they’re still there, but because we are so absorbed in the intensity of our point of focus, the bokeh effect blots out the unnecessary distractions in the background, often even making them beautiful and aesthetic.

It really got me thinking about focal points in life. Many times we try to focus all at once on everything going on in our busy lives– with lots of dizzying distractions derailing us from those things which are most eternally significant.  While in the photograph as well as in life, bokeh can have its rightful place as it becomes our best course of action to focus on Jesus Christ and let the bokeh effect blot out or soften the myriad of distractions around us.  

President Russell M. Nelson invited us to always keep our focus on the Savior. He said, “Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee.” He added, “Faith in Jesus Christ propels us to do things we otherwise would not do.” Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives, Ensign ,May 2017.

I like that – “riveted on the Savior…”

For some, going on a senior mission can be a fearful thing.  Fears, doubts, distractions, and just plain “life” get in the way and take center stage.  I like President Nelson’s promise, “When we focus on the Savior, our doubts and fears flee.”

With permission I share an email from a family member written recently to my husband.

“I have been wanting to say thank you for a while.  I hope you know you were a huge influence in getting (my wife) and (I) on a mission and it has been an amazing and transforming experience!

When you came to visit us after you got back from Viet Nam, we were thinking about going, but stuck in all the reasons why it would be hard to do.  You told us, ‘You just make the commitment to go and the Lord works things out.’

That was what I needed to hear and that is exactly what happened.  None of the problems in our family have gone away, but a door opened whenever we really needed one.

Thank you!!

We are happier now than we can ever remember and feel like we are where the Lord needs us!

We will think of you tonight when we are teaching English to a room of Chinese immigrants in Flushing!”

However we serve, and in whatever capacity, we have the promise that focusing on Christ will cause our doubts and fears to flee.  What great power we can have in our lives through Jesus Christ!

Bokeh.  I like the sound of it! 

(We have nine weeks left before our mission to Taiwan!)