First, Last, and Only

Many years ago (B.C. – Before COVID-19), my wife and I were eating Sunday lunch at a restaurant with another couple who was in our church. Joe was regaling us with his somewhat difficult experience of trying snow-skiing. He summarized his story with these words, “I’ve been snow-skiing three times – first, last, and only!”

In my years of working outdoors with a camera, I’ve been to some locations and taken some photographs that were, for me – first, last, and only.

In 2003, I made it to Coyote Buttes North, a remote area of the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness near the Arizona-Utah line.

Accessible only with a permit, much of the 6.4-mile round trip was through soft sand or across steeply-sloping sandstone. Navigation along the route was primarily via landmarks since there was little formal trail. Not only are the odds of me obtaining another permit very slim, the physical and mental fortitude needed for such a trek are probably now beyond me.

The photograph below is from a sunrise in Greenville County, South Carolina, in 2012. The reason I cannot duplicate this shot has nothing to do with the lack of accessibility to the location or the physical challenge of getting to and from it. I’ll never be able to recreate this image because the trees in the photo have been replaced by houses in a subdivision.

I try not to take for granted the privilege of photographing nature. At the time I click the shutter for any given image, I don’t know if that will be a “first, last, and only” photo. So, I try to regard each outing as a blessing and do my best to make the most of every one of those occasions.

In the life of faith, I also want to be conscious of every opportunity I have to be a witness for Jesus Christ. I never know if words, spoken or written, or actions taken might be my “first, last, and only” interaction with a person.

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise,
but as wise, making the most of every opportunity

– Ephesians 5:15-16a (NIV)