Safety in Shadows
Shadows often carry a negative association, but should they? They can reveal God’s presence.
They locate direction, show contrast, and create depth in life. As with art, shading is a skill developed to heighten dimensions and prevent a composition from appearing flat and lifeless.
Perhaps God uses shadows for good in our lives.
1. Shadows point toward the Light. They display geometric patterns leading to the source of hope. We need only lift our eyes to ask for guidance and follow the lines to Him. We lean toward His tenderness like plants seeking the sun.
2. Shadows show contrast. They distinguish places of obedience from rebellion. When we conduct ourselves in a way that brings God honor, we blend into His plan. We become an intricate detail in a larger design rather than a dab of color trying to bring attention to itself.
3. Shadows create depth. Life is full of choices, and as we mature, we gain wisdom. Tragedy tests if we will trust God to bring good, even from adversity. Human betrayal illuminates God’s steadfastness. His forgiveness of our unwise choices radiates grace and refines us.
Maybe we should not consider shadows as unpleasant or scary spaces. Instead, we could see them as opportunities to gain a broader vantage point. The Old English interpretation of sceadwe meant shade as “the interception of sunlight.” Even as language evolves, so does our understanding of God’s plan for us.
Rather than fearing shadows, we can see them as signals of our Lord’s arrival with Light.
Today’s Bible verses:
“I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed” Psalm 57:1 NIV.
“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings” Psalm 36:7 NIV.
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings” Psalm 63:7 NIV.
Bold Vision releases a new Bible study titled "Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place." For details, please see the tab for Bible Study. A YouTube trailer is available at https://youtu.be/Xz1lVq0Go1M.
Resources:
Art exercises with shadowing from Arbor Scientific by Collin Wassilak posted October 1, 2006
Etymology online history of “shadowland”
History of the English Language in a timeline
https://www.thehistoryofenglish.com/english-history-timeline
