I really like Switchfoot. On their last album, they had a song called, “The Shadow Proves the Sunshine”. It instantly became a favorite of mine as it places struggle in it’s proper perspective. Shadows can either hide us from the light or they let us know which direction to go in pursuit of the light.
God uses His interaction with the nation of Israel in the Old Testament as a “shadow” of what is to come. The tabernacle, the temple, the laws, the prophets, and constant struggle of the Israelites to keep up with God’s holiness all point to the true source of light found in Jesus. As we study Colossians 2 this week, Paul is going to identify many shadows for us as he points once again to Jesus - the true reality of God’s love and sacrifice.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I hide in shadows. Shadows are those things that maybe have a sense of reality to them, but they fall short and fail to fulfill their promise. Shadows are easier. I can hide in the shadows while bright light exposes me completely. Shadows don’t hurt my eyes.
What are some specific ways that we hide in the shadows; rather than running into the light?
October 28th, 2006 at 2:25 am
Isn’t it the shadow (present or lack of) that dictates to a groundhog if they are to get some extra sleep or not? A shadow is never what it seems. If you reach for it, well, you know. And what about that young man, Peter Pan? Didn’t he have to sew his shadow back on?
Shadows are, in reality, cast on the darker side of things, out of the light, but from the light.
In an attempt to answer Pastor Dean’s question—as for hiding in shadows rather than running into the light, I can say, it has become as of recent, a concentrated idea of what true worship to God really is in my mind and heart.
We do know some things (truths) for certain about shadows. One: there need be a light to create one. Two: there is an image, in physical form (dimension), of which a shadow is cast. Three: shadows are brought out by light and disappear into darkness.
In Colossians 2, there is reference made to the shadows of the things yet to come. It also explains reality (that of which one need look to as the shadow caster), as being found in Christ Jesus. The entirety of the message written is address to a people hard of hearing and doing as we know by the opening and an understanding of the Laodicea Church, neither hot nor cold. There is also found here a warning of human tradition, and from that I will assemble my shadow of which I seem to hid.
Plainly written is the message that a life rooted, built-up-in, and strengthened in faith with thankfulness in Christ is the reality of it all. It is the source of wisdom, or to say the prototype of all yet to be accepted in the coming and the doing. That from which all shadows should be cast! Genuine believers need be the shadow of Jesus.
It does not come easy—in that all of a sudden one achieves the wisdom and wola, it is finished. It does however require a constant using of choice to move from shadow to light. I pray for the ability to know the difference as mentioned in verses 22 and 23, of which is truly God’s way and that of human command and teaching.
Our original parents used the shadows to hid once sin and morality entered their lives by their disobedience to God’s Word. I truly pray and desire to worship the God of Creation with as much love for Him as He has for me, and to do that I will need to come out of the shadows and cast all my fears on Him. I say fear because coming out of the shadow means moving into the light and in the light one becomes visible and conscience but oh so loved—so loved!
Now, what’s shadow boxing really all about?