It's a Bird's Life

Jul. 24, 2008

Sonshine and Shadows

It's funny...the things the Lord uses to speak to our hearts.  Like the idea of shadows.  I receive a daily devotional from Alpha Omega Publications called "Daily Focus".  The title of the message dated Wednesday, July 23, 2008 was "Shifting Shadows".  The author was reflecting on how the Lord used the idea of shadows to provide an art lesson to her children and a spiritual lesson to her about perspective.   I suppose this stuck with me because, at the same time, my husband and I have been reading the book "Peter and the Shadow Thieves" by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson with our 10-yr. old son.  In the book the evil inhuman (spiritual?) force is Lord Ombra.  His ability to control a person has to do with his being able to "steal" the person's shadow.  Of course this is much easier if the shadow is lengthened by a light-source coming from a plane  that is low to the ground so that it causes a long shadow to be cast.  The same would have been true for the art lesson on perspective while taking an evening walk when the sun is low in the sky.  It would have caused elongated shadows to be cast on the ground. 

After I read this I found myself meditating on the spiritual lessons of shadows even more.  It occurred to me that as long as the sun is directly overhead, there is very little shadow cast, if any.  But as the sun moves lower in the sky, shadows lengthen until eventually darkness overtakes all.  I began to realize that as long as I stayed directly under the full "light" of the Son (in Whom there is no darkness), I would not "cast any shadow" (of what? Doubt? Unbelief? Sin?) on the world around me; but the more I lag behind Him, the more of "my" shadow (my human nature, my weaknesses, etc.) would be cast around me.  How do I lag behind Him?  By not spending time with Him daily.  By getting distracted by the concerns of life and wandering off in a different direction than He has been leading me.  How easy it is for the Evil one in the world today to get a hold of my shadow and strengthen his hold on me when I do not stay in the full light of the Lord of glory!

My prayer today is that, when I begin to see the shadows lengthening around me and the darkness increasing, I would remember to look at where I am in proximity to the Son!  I want to remain directly under His light!  May your every day be filled with the brightness of the Son!
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I love bird-watching! God has taught me so much from the close observation of these small wonders of His creation which He has promised to provide for in every way. They have been both my example and my encouragement. I hope you will find good things to nourish and build up your nest as you visit mine!

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