Does your shadow show the real you?
Peter Pan lost his shadow. One day his shadow decided he didn’t want to be the follower anymore and somehow broke contact with Peter Pan. Peter liked to throw a shadow and was determined to get his back! You know the rest of the story, with Wendy’s help he was reconnected with his shadow. Without his shadow, Peter was unsure of who he was, it helped him identify himself. Peter was a little on the cocky side and was full of bluster. His shadow made him confident. Some people of importance, or a high profile, like actors and actresses, throw a big shadow. Because the light that is cast on them determines the size of their shadow, it has very little to do with the actual person. Because of the shadow they cast, people automatically think they are right, or what they say has some merit. But take away the light, and what is left of that person? What is their life like? Are they a humongous hypocrite? If you knew them as your next door neighbor, would you even be their friend? So many people who are given any kind of platform, seems to wax poetic, but do they put their money, or life where their mouth is. For instance, those who are taking a knee during the National Anthem. When they are off the field, and the light is turned off, are they out in the world making things better? Are they sponsoring any scholarship, youth clubs, or doing anything for those who are suffering this inequality? Does the shadow they are casting in the light of the television cameras, even come close to their real size when the lights are off? Are these athletes, business moguls, and Hollywood pretenders who you want to emulate? REALLY?
As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. I think that says it all. I will put my trust in who offers shelter in His shadow, and doesn’t use his power to do anything but good. This is not rocket science, you can trust liars, and perverts, or the one who gives us all that is good in this world. This is what they call a no brainer!
As parents we need to make sure our impressionable young people are not idolizing anyone who has a less than stellar reputation. Keep them in the Word, so they can avoid the trappings of this world that will only send them down the wrong path. Be an active parent, not an absentee parent.
We as writers love to throw shadows, twist and turns into our writings. Let us be sure not to elevate the people in our stories which don’t have a moral aptitude.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4
He that dwelleth 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 will I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
James 1:17-18
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
Psalms 57:1-2