Why Shadows

Why Shadows? Originally I was not thinking of Shadows, only Sonbeams. Then I glanced out my kitchen window and there was a perfect shadow of a bird. The shadow was on a white stucco wall of a small elevated garden on our back patio. It was intriguing and mysterious at the same time. I reached for my phone and quickly snapped a photo. Then, I could not stop thinking about shadows. After pondering shadows all day long, I came to some conclusions. Some are scary, others are mysterious, some are interesting, and some encourage us to look further into its source. Sometimes we do not want to know what lurks in a shadow down a dark alley; but, other times comfort can be found in the shadow of a tree on a hot, summer day. Shadows are unique things.

Still pondering shadows a bit further, I thought God’s Word has the same characteristics. It is intriguing and mysterious at times. Some verses can be scary, but others are interesting, and many verses definitely encourage one to look further and study it out. Studying scripture can remind us of shadows in our past that may be hard to remember; but, past history should be something we use to help us become better Christians for the Lord’s service. Do not dwell on the past, sinful shadows. God has forgiven us and he wants us to forget the past that weights us down. But, the human memory has a way of bringing them up at times. When this happens, do not get discouraged. Use those shadow memories to help become more holy each day while pressing forward for the Lord. Phil. 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Shadows can also bring us comfort. Like the shadow of a tree on a steaming hot, summer day. Realise though, comfort will only come from the shadow of the tree by being extremely close to the tree. In God’s Word, I love the verses about his shadow being our refuge. However, one has to be close to God to be in his shadow. If one strays, one is no longer in God’s shadow and can not take comfort in his shadow and protection. I loved it when my children were young and they would come and squeeze me with a big hug and hang on tight like a small, cuddly bear. They were in my shadow and in my protection and nothing was going to harm them. Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings” and Psalm 57:1 “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” Get close to the Lord, trust in him, and find comfort in his shadow.