THE SHADOW

I have been musing over the word “shadow” the last few days. Do you remember the popular radio show from the 1940s-1950s called “The Shadow”? The moderator of this mystery show would introduce a suspenseful situation that needed solving and say in a deep gruff voice, “Only the Shadow knows.”

A shadow is a reflected image. As a child, I made animal shadows on my bedroom wall using my hands. When someone goes through a drastic change, we say “he is a mere shadow of himself.”

Today was rainy and dreary, but late this afternoon, the sun burst through the clouds. I grabbed  my coat and headed outside. The sunlight was glorious! With the sun at my back, I walked down the road that winds through our property. Wild flowers dressed the shoulders like a young lady flaunting her new frock. A tall shadow loomed in front of me, my shadow! It reminded me of the verse in Psalm 91:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence (Psalm 91:1,2).

My shadow was bigger than life. I can only imagine the “shadow of the Almighty”!

Lord, what a comfort to know that You cover us and that we can rest under your shadow, the reflection of your true and manifest Being.

SNEAK PREVIEW

Do you remember going to a movie theater when you were surprised by a “sneak preview,” a film yet to be officially released?  Sometime ago I read a book called, “Jesus on Every Page: 10 Simple Ways to Seek and Find Christ in the Old Testament.”* The title and table of contents of the book give readers a hint of what to expect inside the cover, an indication of what is to come; that is, “a sneak preview.”

As believers, we have an advantage over those living (or should I say ‘dying’?) in the world without a relatIonship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. We know the end of the Story. The Bible affords us a “sneak preview” from the beginning of creation to “the end” and beyond.

I wonder… how many “sneak previews” do I encounter in my daily life that I am not aware of?

So often we carry dreams in our hearts, promises that God has revealed in His Word or to us personally. The answers seem so long in coming. We don’t want to hear the stories about Abraham and Sarah who waited 25 years for their promised son Isaac to be born or the Israelites enslaved in Egypt for 430 years or that God’s people roamed in the desert for 40 years before they entered the Promised Land.

Just when our hope is about to run out, we read a scripture or receive a phone call or some blessing that tells us God hasn’t forgotten His promise.  Then when the fulfillment doesn’t immediately follow, we are disappointed or discouraged again and doubt His goodness.

What if we looked at these signs or blessings as a manifestation of God’s presence and a “sneak preview” of the fulfillment that we long for? Would it help to build up our hope and strengthen our faith?

Dear God, knowingly or unknowingly, You are what we long for. Open the eyes of our hearts to see the “sneak previews” that point to your presence among us. Wash away our discouragement and help us build our faith and trust in You. May You receive all the honor and glory!

THE BOILING POT

Sometimes I reflect back on my “pilgrimage years.” When I traveled, I often chose to stay at retreat centers because of their reasonable priced accommodations and contemplative atmosphere. I remember the last time I went on a private retreat. I traveled to a seminary on the coast of Spain just south of Barcelona. The staff knew only a smattering of English, but I managed to engage at meals with them and the students. My time was spent wandering through a nearby town, walking the beaches and reading the Bible. I was drawn to the book of Jonah. As I read, it occurred to me that in making this sojourn to Spain, I was running away from divine assignments. That ended my “spiritual respites,” at least for a time, but recently the urge to travel has bubbled to the surface and is threatening to come to a full-blown boil.

Browsing through my book collection a few days ago, “Travels that Can Transform Your Life” caught my attention. I have read this book twice. Scanning its highlighted pages, I shouted, “Yes, this is it!” For me, travel has always been a spiritual experience. There have been times when I am drawn to a certain place, but I have no logical reason for going there. This can be embarrassing with people ask me, “Why are you going there?” When I ask, “Lord, why am I here,” I don’t always get an immediate answer, but over time I come to understand His purpose.

The next time you are planning a trip or find yourself on an airplane or at place that takes you away from your daily routine, ask yourself these questions:

• What are you seeking in this place?

• What are you missing while you are in this place?

• How can this place or this trip bring about transformation in some aspect of your life?

If the “pot” doesn’t simmer down, I’ll send you at postcard from wherever I land!

See, I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared (The Conquest of Canaan Promised: Exodus 23:20 NIV).

GHOST TOWN

My last post was about yearning for water. Afterwards, I heard a story from the late 1870s about residents in a small Texas town who were hurting for water. Their efforts to find water came to nothing, but they discovered oil. They discounted their oil discovery and kept digging for water. Finally, the people gave up their search. Their town went downhill.

I was not able to substantiate this story, but it stirred a response in me.

How often have I abandoned projects because I got tired of jumping over hurdles and going around road blocks? How often have I pass up an “unlikely” opportunity because I didn’t have the faith to believe for the resources needed to move forward or because I didn’t understand how God could work in the situation? The people in this story wanted water for survival, but the oil could have secured their future. According to the legend, the people in the Texas town gave up hope. They quit trusting. Eventually, nothing was left but a ghost town.

Seemingly futile or “impossible” circumstances affect us all at one time or another. Sometimes we need a “second wind.” We need to be open to a wisdom that is greater than our human understanding, a wisdom only God can give. Do I hear an “Amen!”?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).