Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…. Psalm 23:4
“A Funny thing happened on my way …to write my next article. My plan and inspiration got absolutely HIGH-jacked, if you know what I mean.
I can’t even remember now where I had heard the following quote, but I remember, thinking “Wow, that’s deep”, when I first heard it. However, as I sat down to start pondering on it and starting writing, I found myself being pulled in another whole different direction completely, which was only tangentially connected to the original thoughts.
“They see only their own shadows or the shadows of one another, which the fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave” Plato
It started in the shadows and well it suffices to say, my intellectual thinking was blown away, as the thoughts and insights were coming so fast, that I could barely keep up. I will start with a piece of it here and then will be “developing” the other concepts in at least one other follow-up article. I promise you one thing, when all is said and done, you will never see a shadow the same way.
Well, I’m ready; I hope that you’re ready to hang on for a ride.
So lets start where I did, “in the shadows”. What is a shadow?
MIrriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines it as: “partial darkness or obscurity within a part of space from which rays from a source of light are cut off by an interposed opaque body”
OK, now in English please… “an area of darkness that is created when something blocks light” Macmillan Dictionary
So what is required for a shadow to be created?
- A light source and
- An object to partially block the light.
This brings me to my first point:
There can be no shadow without light being present.
I know I just said that, it is the definition. What is so inspiring about that?
I challenge you to think a little more abstract and symbolically for just a bit. We will be bouncing to and fro between abstract and concrete.
We have all gone through “dark” times, shadows, if you will in our lives. My guess is that many of you may be finding yourself in the “shadows” even now. Being in the shadows can be a cold, damp and scary place. It often feels like there is no hope. When walking in the shadows it is easy to misstep and further hindering our progress. It is also true that we all have shadows and dark places in our lives. Some are only partially shaded, while others, if we are honest with ourselves, we can not remember the last time that we allowed them out enough to even give the light a chance and shining upon them. They are deep painful “ugly”cubbies and corners that we are honestly afraid to shine light on, because it just hurts too badly to even look at it. They are major traumatic experiences that have altered the very direction of our lives.
BUT, my dear friends, brothers and sisters, be of good courage, there IS hope!
Remember, what did we just say about shadows? In order for there to be a shadow there MUST be a source of light. More specifically The LIGHT is our source. Even when we are in the midst of the shadows The Light is there with us in the midst of our trials. We may not see or feel it, but it is true nonetheless.
I am the light of the world. John 8:12
God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 1John 1:5
It does not matter how painful or dark our shadows, His desire that we would allow His Light to shine in these areas. When we walk with HIM in the light then we walk in LIFE.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he 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
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. I John 1:7
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-6
You can only see the shadows if you are not walking toward the light.
So my friends, I urge you turn your face TOWARDS The Light, to serve and follow HIM. When we walk truly with Him, we walk in the light and in the is LIFE, JOY, PEACE, REST, HOPE….
Even then there are going to be battles and trials and struggles, but as we have seen in the shadows in the trial in the struggles HE is there. Not only is there, He can empathize and shows forth His compassion to us.
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. I Corinthians 10:13
Here comes probably the hardest point to accept out of this entire lesson.
Struggles and Trials are GOOD, They develop character and ultimately make us more like HIM.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5
I know some of you are thinking to yourselves, “So GOD caused all of the trials, darkness and shadows in my past, to build my character?”
“ABSOLUTELY NOT”
Yes, he may have “allowed” some things to happen, but that is simply because He has limited Himself and will not interfere in the will of man. The “hell” that many of have experienced WAS NOT His plan and purpose for our lives, but the consequence of the will, choices and behaviors of others. We also have our own will, which has also led to some of the consequences and “shadows” that we have experienced. He is a God of LOVE, Compassion, Mercy and Grace whose desire is that ALL would be saved and Walk in the light, Truth and Life!
…God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15
As we turn towards the light, and walk in Him, then He will begin the work of healing those very same wounds and scars. Even we turn and walk away choosing as it where the shadows over the light. Because even the light it is difficult path and will believe TOO difficult at times, but keep at it, in the end the destination and rewards at the end of the journey will be worth it.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14
I don’t know about you, but I have suffered enough in the wounds of the past, and though the journey will be hard, I have The Light leading me in in The Way so that I will know The Truth and truly experience The Life that He has planned for me.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. John 14:6
I make a willful choice and I choice to “Walk in The Light” and as I do the shadows will only be passing, because I my eyes are focused on the “Source” of all Light!
Will come walk with me.
**Coming Soon**
More on the Shadows and a detailed look at a portion of the 23rd Psalm.
Heart of Hope 
Gary,
I enjoyed this post. Frequently we find our darkest moments in life are the ones that help change us and direct us toward a better and more full life. The darkness we face is only the absence of light which only comes at night or by closing ourselves in a room that we entered ourselves. The Light you speak of never goes out, nor does shine on others more because one is favored over the other. It shines one a person when they open the door. The Light “wants” to infiltrate every recess of the darkness and bring clarity and dispel any fear and loneliness that may have been a part of that darkness.
As you know, I am Jewish, and your saying about the will is a major teaching within Jewish thought… in essence it as you said G-d “limited Himself and will not interfere in the will of man.” G-d has given us freewill and that is His greatest gift to mankind. We chose our path and although we may stray and go a different direction than that what is good and righteous, He does provide Light to go with us in that path so that we only have a “shadow” of the pain and fear and hopelessness that would be within if we were left in total darkness without the Presence of Light.
I would also encourage those who may seem to have more darkness prevalent in their lives to know that before the dawn it is darkest.
The Light is coming soon when darkness will not have its way if we “turn to the Light.”
Shalom,
Lathan
Sometimes it is not the “light” I am afraid of; it sounds so promising to be comforted and to find peace Often it is the very ones proclaiming to live in the light that cast the longest shadows and keep me from venturing forward. Lately, I have met quite a few exceptions to that rule. These people exemplify what I think of as love, they are not judgemental and they seem to have genuine concern for others. I wish that were more consistantly true.
It is because of these people, that I still remain courious as to what the “light” may have to offer.
Watching causiously.
Indeed, people are the greatest hindrance to growth especially when spiritual issues are involved. It is definitely not God’s fault, but people imposing a false light that looks good on the outside but on the inside it is full of rot and worms. I try to walk that way, but it is the propensity of mankind to hide from truth and light due to how ugly things may be. I know that even though I have called upon the Lord for many years and He has taken me from a self abusive life to a life I could have only imagined someone else living, I still battle the darkness a lot. It is not in addiction anymore, but a more subtle – almost like a shadow on a hazy day, if I am not looking for it. Thankfully- that is beatable too 🙂
Additionally, I am very cautious of people also. I think it is wise to be cautious with your soul as long as we are not guarding ourselves from growth and truth. Trusting people is a very difficult thing sometimes, but as a person’s trust in God increases, so does trust in man. Not because they deserve it, but because God is in control and nothing exists outside of His love.
Be well