Shadows

Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:7. NLT

I walk with a few friends each day in the cool crisp morning before sunrise. Today as we were completing our journey, I looked ahead on the road and saw three long, lanky shadows ahead of us. I didn’t realize that a car was coming and the headlights were creating these formidable giants on the ground. We moved off the road – changed our path – and the shadowy giants disappeared.

Wouldn’t it be great if the shadows in our lives – the trials, difficulties, heartaches – could vanish
that easily? We move, we change, and the object casting the shadow passes; life returns to normal. Sometimes it is that easy. Most times, it’s not.

To make a shadow, you must have two things – a light source and something that blocks this light source. This morning, the shadow didn’t last long. Other times, we seem to be caught up in the darkness for a while. When that happens, how do we endure?

Well, first we must remember the true light source:

The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27: 1 NIV

When the Lord is our true light and our stronghold – our security, we do not need to be afraid of the darkness. Yes, we will have shadows. But, with God as our light source, our attitude of the shadows of life changes. We will have troubles and difficulties (John 16:33), but when we turn to Him for help, we will be able to sing for joy because he is covering us, protecting us.

I love to sing. It makes me happy. When shadows distort my life, the last thing I want to do is sing. But, when God is my helper and I place my trust in Him, I can rest with assurance He is faithful protector and I can sing for joy in the shadows.