Everyone casts a shadow; it goes with us wherever we go; it isn’t something we can lay aside like an old garment. It is something that pours from us like a light from a lamp. Unconsciously, we impress others by things we do or say.
The disciples saw Christ praying and were so impressed by his earnestness, or maybe the radiance on his face as he communed with his Father, that when he returned to them they asked, “Lord, teach us how to pray”.
He cast a shadow of light wherever he went, for he said, “I must work the works of him that sent me”.
If the shadow we cast be dark, how can we follow the example set by our Lord and Master, who loved even the unlovely; who was gentle, affectionate to the sinner; who, when men reviled him, reviled not again, and, when they nailed him to the cross, prayed, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do”.
Jesus, the light of the world, was the son of man as well as the son of God, and as such took on the nature of man. Although without spot or blemish, he inherited death, because of the sin in the garden of Eden. He was obedient in all things, altogether beautiful in the sight of God. Are we? Do we pray to be used in the way he thinks best? Are we using our time right? Time is something we cannot have again, for once passed it has gone. Some things God gives twice, some he gives only once. The seasons return again and again; flowers change with the months, but this life only comes once. The night cometh when no man can work. When this time comes, we cannot return to do the things neglected while it was day: what has been left unfinished will remain so. God doesn’t give us work in one great heap; we must take the hours as they come, and fill them with faith and love.
Each morning we rise and go through the same round; every day seems the same, but this is not so, for each day is new. We know not what new experience it will bring.
Maybe joy or sorrow; some new responsibility or perhaps a new duty, but whichever it brings we are not alone. If we put our trust in God, he will never forsake us.
We all have our burdens: some more, some less. The Bible tells us, “Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you”. This doesn’t mean he will carry it for you, but will sustain us while we carry it. He will not deliver us from our burden, but help us overcome. Parents think they show affection to their children by making their duties easy, but in fact they are spoiling their characters. God would never do this to his children. He loves us too much to spoil us. He hopes our burdens will teach us love, patience and endurance. If we allow them to fret us, lose heart or faith, it will spoil our life, but if we accept it, endure patiently and seek God in prayer, it will work for our good, and out of its bitterness will come forth sweet fruit. The fruit of the spirit is love; peace. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish.” Herein is love and that love is as fresh and strong today as it ever was.
God called us out of darkness into light. Those who walk in darkness cast no shadow. Let us think upon it, then rejoice, that the God of love and mercy, the God who delights to give, has called us through the shed blood of his dear Son.
The prodigal son lost all his wealth, health, friends—all were gone; but there was one thing he never lost, that was his father’s tender love. We have our Father’s love. He knows our weakness and shortcomings, but thanks be to our Father, salvation does not depend on our own feeble effort, but upon the omnipotence and love of an unchanging God. While we put our trust in him, those arms that supported our Lord and Saviour in his darkest hour will ever be there giving support while the mighty God holds us in his clasp. No power can snatch us out of his hands; neither death, nor life, nor things present, nor things to come, can separate us from his love. Let the shadow we cast be to the glory of God.
“How beauteous were the marks divine,
That in thy meekness used to shine,
That lit thy lonely pathway,
Trod In wondrous love,
O Son of God.”
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay