Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me … Psalm 23: 4a
Last week I wrote about how the lamp we bear is lit by God. What happens, however, with our light for the world around us when we are thrust into the shadows? Shadows may describe many life events, such as illness, death of a loved one, job loss, or various other events pulling us from the sunshine into the shadows.
The House where I grew up
I am reminded of the attic in the house where I grew up. A single light bulb hung from a cord from the ceiling above the stairway and was switched on by a switch along the stairwell wall. Two small windows allowed daylight to illuminate the front area of the attic. The attic expanded over the entire house. Our attic became a great place to play dress-up, a place to store objects like Christmas decorations, trunks of clothing, and other things, and home to Mother’s cradle and Daddy’s old violin. My sister made a special place for herself near the windows. An old bed stood in in the back for when my Uncle visited with his family. The boys would sleep there.
Despite the lightbulb and the front windows, the back recesses were dark. To try to find anything in these shadowy nooks did not come easy without a flashlight. The thing about flashlights is they need a good battery, one to depend upon in time of need. The back corners—shadows in our lives need to be lighted with a functioning light source to see us through. If God lights our lamp, the words of Scripture illuminate the dark times in our lives to guide us and to show us the ways of righteousness.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119: 105
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. Psalm 112:4
This week I have been in the shadows with a bad cold. I could crawl into the bed in the back of the attic, wrap up in an old quilt, and hibernate. But no. I wondered how I can still be a light to others when I am tucked away in the shadows. How can I recharge the battery in my lamp? The Lord reminded me to not concentrate on the “can’ts” but the “cans.”
I can go to church on the computer.
I can pray for others, messaging them to ask about their needs.
I can allow others to help me.
I can write.
I can read the Bible and listen to the Bible on my phone.
I can send greetings to others to cheer their weary hearts.
I can trust God to direct me one step at a time.
Only God can open my soul and give me light to counteract destructive circumstances.
Allowing God to work His ways in our life not only lightens the shadows, but His way will also expand the possibilities. He will show how He wants to use us as His beloved children even in the uncertainties and dark times we all experience.
Challenge: What shadows are you experiencing where you need God to lighten your way?
Prayer: Father, God, help me to submit to your shadows when they are given to bring me into a better light where I can see your plans for clearer pathway. In Jesus, I pray, Amen.
