ME AND MY SHADOWS...

ME AND MY SHADOWS...

“And though I walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death, I will fear no evil….” (Psalms 23:4).  Shadows in our lives can be huge and overwhelming!  As the Psalmist talks about the “shadow of death,” he describes a scene that sounds terrifying, but is, in fact, virtually powerless. 

The same is true in our lives.  Though our death is not usually impending, as in the case of the Psalmist, each day is filled with its’ share of worries and fears, most of which we have no or little control over.  We are surrounded by “shadows” that overwhelm, frighten, and leave us feeling powerless, yet many times the shadows in our lives only have the power that we give them.   

What is a shadow?  An area of darkness cast when light shines on an object.  What can a shadow do?  A shadow can do absolutely nothing on its own…it simply is.  The only thing a shadow is remotely capable of is creating emotions in the one observing it.  It can evoke excitement, dread, suspense, and, most likely the biggest emotion it creates, fear. 

How large is a shadow?  The size and shape of a shadow is directly related to both the size and shape of the object the light is cast on and the orientation of the light.  The shadow on its own is not capable of, nor has any power to, change its’ size.  It has no power to move on its own.  It has no power to frighten or evoke any other emotion on its own.  It has no substance, density, or capabilities as it stands alone. 

Physical shadows and emotional shadows have very much in common.  As in the case of a physical shadow, the size of our fear is directly related to both the size of our problem and the position of the “Light” or God in our lives.  As we have our problems magnified by the “Darkness” or Satan, we can feel our negative emotions growing out of control. 

Life on earth is not Heaven, and is filled with its’ share of heartaches and disappointments.  Others live their lives as they please and we have little power over their choices.  Their choices may affect us enormously, but we are virtually powerless over them.  We may feel that we can somewhat control their lives, but that is a lie straight from Satan.  We only have the control they give us.  We can strive to influence them, and may be somewhat successful, but each choice they make is their own.  Bummer?  Somewhat, but the flip side to this is that the same is true for each one of us. 

The statement, “She/he/they made me do _____,” is simply not true!  No matter what the circumstances, or how large the ‘shadows’ in our life are, they are only controlled by our choices and the fact that we allow them to overtake us.  They have NO POWER, much like the physical shadow, to hurt or harm us.  It is as though when we allow God to shine on our problems the light is continuously the noon day sun which virtually gives off not shadow or “darkness.” 

The first few verses of James give us a capsule version of this.  “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” can teach us that the Light from God shining on our struggles and disappointments yields a shadow-less quality to their influence over us.  The darkness virtually disappears, leaving us glowing with joy in the glory of His Light.  No shadows, darkness, fear, dread, worry!  They are all replaced by the constant reminder of WHO is in control of our lives and HIS promise to never leave us or tempt us beyond our control.

And the shadow-less life is there for our taking.  James 1:17 states, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the FATHER OF LIGHTS, with Whom there is NO VARIATION OR SHADOW OF TURNING.”   When we are standing directly in the Light from above, the shadows of our life lose their control over us.  They are replaced by the “good” and “perfect” gifts of our Heavenly Father!

So as you walk through your own ‘shadow of death,’ or ‘fear,’ or ‘dread,’ or ‘worry,’ or whatever frightening thing in your life that you are currently dealing with make sure that you are always walking at noon.  Noon, when the Light of God’s presence is shining directly down on you and shining so brightly that it cast no fearful shadow.  When we walk with Him, mindful of His presence in our lives, His brightness and warmth allows no shadows to be cast. 

His Light reflected off of any problem we may face yields only comfort, peace and joy.  His promise is always faithful:  “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say we that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5b-7)

Roberta Pledge

Walking Through James

March 2011