A Lesson Learned: by Robin Thomas
Shadow, noun: a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
Shadows represent many things in our society. Shadows can give definition or depth to a drawing, you can “shadow” a person to learn a trade, or it could mean that something is being done without someone’s knowledge, in the shadows.
Peter Pan (Disney 1953) lost his shadow when Nana, the dog pulled on it and it got ripped off by the closing window. It’s suggested that his shadow represented his mother, or his past that he didn’t want to lose, so Wendy sewed it back on for him. His shadow represented love and memories following him.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Most of the shadows of life are caused by standing in one’s own sunshine.”
If this means we stand in our own way, then I am definitely a candidate. I feel like I have so many potential abilities but I am my own shadow-maker. Does fear let us stand in our own way? Most certainly.
One of my favorite hymns is Great is Thy Faithfulness (Thank you Jeff Reed and Westmont College, freshman year Vespers).
There is a line:
"Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.”1
That is a cool thought. God has no shadow. God does not have a light source that is greater than He. He never changes so He has no lengthening shadows because He is not bound by time. God does not get in HIS own way because He is, well GOD.
James 1:17, in the Bible, says, “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.”(NKJV) Some translations say, “shifting shadows” (NASB).
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has no shadow because he is not in one place, He is everywhere.
I don’t know about you, but that actually gives me security knowing that the One in whom I put my trust will not change (shifting shadow) but in all HIS glory will stand behind me and shine on me. He will never cast a shadow on me or turn from me. (no shadow of turning).
So should we seek to never have shadows? No, our shadows give us definition. They give us depth. If a shadow represents the past then we should turn toward the light source.
Walt Whitman said, “Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.” Good advice, so who is the sunshine? The light?
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
So stitch your shadow back on, because it represents who you are, and head toward the light!
______________________________________________
1. Great Is Thy Faithfulness is a popular Christian hymn written by Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960) with music composed by William M. Runyan (1870–1957)
Commentaires