I’ve been reading a lot in the book of Hebrews lately and there are some amazing passages in which the author talks about the things of this world, and how they are merely a shadow of the things to come. Some of our most sacred, divine moments are merely a taste of Heaven. What a thought! The book of Psalms says that Man is like a breath, and his days are like a fleeting shadow. Over and over again this thought is echoed throughout the scriptures. For some reason the other day I just couldn’t get this idea of shadows out of my head. A shadow is an interesting thing. A shadow shows the outline of an object but lacks the color, detail and depth of an object. A shadow can’t think for itself; it’s merely bound to the will of the one who casts it. And of course the shadow is generated from an object or person which is in the light. When we talk about the concept of foreshadowing it’s the idea that you get a small glimpse of the thing to come. Often times in movies we get to see a character’s shadow before we actually see them. But the shadow itself isn’t enough; we want to see the character fully illumined so we wait and watch in suspense. While we’re here on earth we can’t see God in his fullness, but we do get glimpses of Him as we grow in our awareness of his presence. It’s as if we live in his shadow, anticipating the fullness of his glory to come. In his shadow we find rest and protection. (Psalm 91, Psalm 17) In his shadow we sing. (Psalm 63) The shadow is not God himself, but merely a rough outline of who he is. Unfortunately many people ignore God’s shadow and instead embrace the darkness of sin and the world. A shadow in the dark cannot be seen, but God sent us a light so that we may illuminate the world to reveal His shadow. Matthew 4:16 says, “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” The Light of Lights has descended from realms of endless day to illumine and guide us. So may you run away from the shadow of death and run towards the Light of our Savior. And as you run towards the light may you also find yourself resting in the shadow of His wings.
