We all like a good selfie, right? Well, maybe not all of us, but a lot of us do. With constant posts and pictures these days, many use a filter every now and then to highlight what they want to be seen. When dealing with our ventures in taking photographs, sometimes the filter is used to provide a light that is not there, hide something that is there, or alter the image all together depending on how you might be feeling. A while back, I was in the car with my cousin taking pictures to pass time. We were out at night so of course it was dark. I started playing with the filters in my phone to see what that picture would like with different lighting because it was so dark. I laughed when I saw the results because, one thing that was abundantly clear was that, no matter what you alter, the real you always shines through. I could not deny myself in this image (see cover), because no matter what light filtered through, you see me! The first picture is the filter free one, by the way. My eyes basically shouted, “Yup, it’s all me”! No matter what filter we use to present ourselves, the real us will always be realized, right…..and I am not talking about in pictures. You can’t hide what is meant to be discovered; that includes the gifts you may try to keep out of the light.
The same way we use filters to let light in, we have to use them to keep icky stuff out. I don’t know a thing about cars, but I do know the purpose of at least the oil filter. There are some things that have to be kept out in order for your car to perform optimally, and guess what? The same goes for us if we are to perform optimally. Notice, I said optimally, not efficiently. There’s a difference! I’m not talking about what we allow in our bodies, I’m talking about what we allow to take up space in our orbit so to speak…I’ll call this our filter of discernment. Even if we do not know right away, once we sift through (filter) the nonsense, and the ill intentions or good intentions, we eventually know who should be there and who shouldn’t and we discover when to move and when stand still. When we are unable to use our filter of discernment, we impede our progress toward our purpose. Do yall remember when that little PSA used to come on telling us, “you gotta obey what those signs say”? Everyone cannot pour into you and not everyone means well. When that gut says no, don’t force a yes! There will always be elements that need to be filtered out, and while some elements may come from others, some also come from your own thoughts and you can get rid of those too.
We not only use filters to let in light and to sift through impurities, we also use filters to communicate messages in a way that it will be received. We do not need to edit who we are, but sometimes we have to filter the words we choose to use in certain situations. There is a time and a place for everything. I’ll use me as an example (and this is a no judgement zone). I might use a cuss word here and there, but I know how to filter my words and still give a message. When I was younger I used to always yell “shoot” when I got mad. My mama would always tell me to watch it because my “shoot” was going to turn into “sh*t”, and well…it did and I know there is a time and a place for everything. I am not suggesting that there is every a time to use foul language (ummmmm), but I am saying that you do not necessarily have to filter your messages, but sometimes you do have to filter your words.
Our ability to do what we are meant to do easily hinges on our ability to use the appropriate filters at the appropriate time. You can be the light because you are! Playing with filters is fun, but being filtered for a purpose is pivotal!!!
Song: Let the Sunshine In – 5th Dimension The Sign – Ace of Base
Life Is But A Song 