I’ve not written since Easter of this year. I’ve been listening intently and writing notes. My prayer time has been more intense, while at the same time leaving me with a feeling of despondency. It’s easy to allow the things of the world to have more of an effect on you than they should when you take your eyes off of Him. He did say that we would have to deal with many unpleasant things, but to be of good cheer, as He has overcome the world.
I watched a western awhile back and an Indian man told a sheriff who he befriended that he had lost his shadow. There is a Navajo concept that our shadow is a sacred part of yourself. This sheriff was losing his vision. This caused him to be less self-assured. Indecisive. When the sun was shining on him there was no shadow. This sheriff finally became focused and remembered his call. And before standing his ground, he looked and saw his shadow. I’m not even sure he looked to see before the words of the sage Indian came to mind. He remembered the words and his call and did what was right, even though he might lose his life. Much like Psalm 74:20 in the Passion Translation says, “Remember your promises to us, for darkness covers the land, giving the violent ones a hiding place.” Our bodies block the rays of the sun and a shadow appears. We can position ourselves to direct the light source differently and thereby change the shadow. There are some taking positions to intentionally alter the light source, but in essence are just positioning themselves to be seen as the light when they are so far from the true source. Those looking to direct the source of light for their own benefit need to be avoided. Christ alone is our source.
Sometimes we look at people and they seem to just be a shadow of what they once were. So many prophetic ministers I have followed for years seemed to have taken a wrong turn. And in doing so, they have led many people on a wrong path that is still being followed. They put their hope in an idol or idols and have lost their way. Some are hellbent on maintaining their destructive course regardless of where it leads them or others. Something within them has yet to be crucified and it will always come up. The closer we say we want to get to Him, the more these flaws will be evident. Many have lost a sense of who they were called to be, as well as their prophetic insight. In Numbers 22, Balaam sought to see from his own high vantage point and receive his reward from Balak for cursing Israel. But when confronted by God, he could only speak blessings. Today, so many have been speaking from their own high places contrary to the words of Christ. They either do not repent or do so only in part. Their idols have taken up residence in their heart. And they continue to speak from the voices they hear from the shadows. They’ve walked away from the light.
In Acts 5, those in need of healing were positioned so that even the shadow of Peter might touch them when he walked by and they would be healed. There is a Jewish saying that a person’s anointing extends as far as their shadow. There may be some validity in that, but I’ve seen someone healed by a phone call from miles away. Or from prayers with no contact, even by voice. What if you’re walking contrary to His ways? What if you believe you’ve heard correctly even though it doesn’t line up with His word? We should then be on our face asking Him, as David did in Psalm 139, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” But some refuse. They hold onto their idols. They have not filled their lamps with new oil. The warning Christ gave in Luke 11 should cause one to seek His face for all we’re worth. “Take heed that the light that is in you is not darkness.” A sobering warning. His word is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of our hearts. And none are hidden from His sight.
I can see my shadow. Yet at times, I feel but a shadow of myself. That’s on me. I’ve read so many times that “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” I sat in prayer a week ago asking for even one word. He spoke one word ever so softly: “Trust.” And nothing else. I want His sun to shine on me and His Son to be seen in me. My shadow to be visible. My compilation of James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift comes down from above from the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or shifting shadows.” His light shines upon us and the shadow is constant. It does not waver or fade. He is not a man that He would lie. His word and His promise are always Yes and Amen. He will keep you as the apple of His eye and hide you under the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8). Cast a giant shadow propelled forth by His spirit in you. Light will flicker and shadows will fade or waver, but that is not from Him. False teachers and prophets will continue. Their shadows will be shifting and will offer no sense of hope. But our hope is in the truth. Only He is the way. Discord, division, hate, lies, false teaching, idol worship, conceit, backbiting, and selfish ambitions will continue, and in some cases, get worse. Do not lose hope. His Sun will shine on you. Your shadow will be visible to speak of Him. Rest in Him. The Passion Translation of Psalm 57:1 says, “Open Your grace fountain for me, for You are my soul’s true shelter. I will hide beneath the shadow of Your embrace, under the wings of Your cherubim, until this terrible trouble is past.” Blessings.
Stand My Watch 