Back in the dark ages, the ‘70s, Polaroid cameras became very popular ways to capture images. It was during this time when a new process of developing film was introduced, dry development. Light was used to develop the film. In 1972, the iconic Polaroid SX-70 – a folding SLR instant camera – was launched. To expedite the picture developing, shaking the image was a “thing.” You took the picture by the corner, shook it rapidly, and the picture would gradually appear. (There was a sheer coating on the film and shaking it helped that coating dry more quickly).
Today, Polaroids have made a comeback in popularity. BUT . . . shaking the polaroid picture is no longer a thing. In fact, Polaroid says if you shake it, you could blur the image because you cause portions of the film to separate prematurely.
Who knew???
Apparently, NEW users of Polaroids know/knew. They didn’t grow up with the old method. Therefore, they just take the pictures, let them sit, and then VOILA! There is the Polaroid picture.
Sometimes we mess up. We miss out on beautiful things of life because we carry and hold onto the “what” and “ways” we have always known. We don’t allow ourselves opportunities to wipe slates clean.
The earthquake of Easter changed things. It was powerful. Ground-moving. And even though the disciples were sent back to Galilee, where they had been in ministry with Jesus, in order to experience the resurrected Jesus, they had to be willing and able to see new things. If they had not been open to the potential of resurrection that day, who knows what would have happened with the “new way” of living.
Are you holding on to old ways of seeing things?
Are there lessons you can let go of so that you can learn a new thing?
16-21 This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
they lie down and then can’t get up;
they’re snuffed out like so many candles:
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
