Was there ever a time in your life, maybe as a young child, when you were afraid of a shadow? Maybe you would see a shadow of something cast through your bedroom window and feared that someone was outside your window. Or maybe there was something hanging in your bedroom that cast a shadow that looked scary to you in the dark. Even though dark shadows can seem a little scary, there are shadows that can be very rewarding.
Let's look at the dark shadow first. I looked up the definition of shadow and Webster says: a shadow is a dark image of an object created when the object interrupts rays of light.
I believe a person has "shadows of belief". A person is or becomes what they believe. This can be good and bad, depending on what the person believes. Sometimes we may be told something when we are young, that causes us to carry it with us through our life. There may be many negative things that were said or done to us that we start to believe of our self. These "shadows of belief" become the dark shadows of gloom that starts to block 'the light' in our life causing our path to become dim and our direction in life becomes blurred and even darkened. Dark shadows hovering over us can keep any rays of light from shining through. It gets hard to even really know the right path for our life anymore.
I see people in the world today as 'light chasers'. They desire to have that "light", or a sense of direction in their lives but begin to chase after the wrong things and struggle with finding that light because of the dark shadows of the past that hover over them constantly.
The only way a person can find that light is to step out from under the dark shadow. The only way to do that is to first identify their "shadows of belief" that are causing the obstruction of light. We need to allow the Lord to shed some light on the dark shadows that have overshadowed us for years that keep us bound. Some fear what they might find. Every person's situation is different. Maybe it was something that a parent said or did when we were younger. If it is something that came from a parent, finding it, is not for the reason to blame the parent. It is only important to find out where it started in your life and where you took off with it and began to believe it, allowing it to affect your life in a negative way. And as time went on, it was pushed deep inside, so as not having to deal with it.
We must understand that if something gets too much 'shadow' or shade, it will not get enough light and will not grow. This is the same way with our spiritual life. Without the Light of Jesus shining in our life, we cannot grow in Him and go on in life to become what He wants us to be for Him.
When we find ourselves caught in the heat of circumstances or a dark shadow of gloom has overshadowed our lives, we must step out from under this shadow and abide under the shadow of protection of the Lord. He offers us cool shade from extensive heat in our lives. We can always find shelter from the storms of life under the shadow of his wings.
Psalm 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Jesus offers a "shadow of hope" to those in time of need. In Psalm 139, David writes that the darkness and light are alike to the Lord. Even the night shall be light unto us. Even in the darkness there is light with the Lord.
What is casting a shadow over your life today? Is it the 'shadow of protection' that comes from the Almighty as you dwell in His Secret place, or is it a 'dark shadow of gloom' that blocks the light of Jesus from shining through?
Stop 'chasing the light' and just step out from under the 'dark shadow' and allow the Lord to 'shed some light' on what is blocking HIS light in your life. Let Him overshadow you with His "wings of protection" as you face your 'shadows of belief' head on.
Connie J. Schmoll
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