The Shadows Of Morning

I believe we all know what a shadow is don't we? Websters defines a shadow as a shape or dark area produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface. Simple enough I think. As a small child I can actually remember seeing my shadow and being afraid of it. I know, but I had no idea what it was or who that person was and why they were chasing me. I certainly didn't understand why I couldn't get away from them. That was a very scary memory for a little one but as I came to realize that the person following me was simply "me" then my shadow quickly became my playmate. The reality of shadows are that they cast nearly exact replicas of what the shape or the person is. Directionally observed sometimes they can look distorted but generally they are the exact shape and form. This morning as I was enjoying breakfast on my front porch the sun had come up, it was casting shadows of everything. I could see my figure as I sat in my chair and I could also see the shadows of my hanging pots, my wicker furniture and even the wind chimes that were hanging there. We were all exactly reproduced, reflecting dark images across the porch floor boards and clapboard siding. Another interesting fact to note is that shadows can also come in the form of shade. On a larger scale I must say as in the shade of my enormous oak tree in my yard. It's shadow casts shade to sit under bringing a much needed refreshment from the heat of the sun. Whichever the case I have to tell you that the visions of shadows, whichever of these forms they take, causes me to wonder if the shadows that I cast or impressions that I leave look exactly as they should. What I mean by that is simply, "do I leave impressions for others that look like someone I'm trying to be or do they look exactly like who I am?" I don't know about you but I don't ever want to be classified, or "identified, as the term is so quickly used these days, with anyone but who God is creating in me. I want to be the 'real deal' as they say, someone who speaks the truth in love, holds no secrets, says what she knows to be truth, and always genuine. If I'm around highly educated and intelligent people I don't want to pretend and say things that would make me sound and appear to be on their level. When I'm with those who are financially well off I don't want to do or say things to try and impress so they will take me on as their equal. When I am around those who may use offensive language often, I never want to morph into their verbal gutter speak. I just desire to show them love and kindness without cruel judgement. I guess I've said all of that just to say, "I want to be a shadow of the person that I've asked the Creator to shape in me and I do not want my shadow to ever shift from that position".  I never desire for my shadow to look distorted or mishapen from attempting to look a different way from what and who I am! I want others to come under my shadow as well and find a place of rest and encouragement when they are exposed to the heat of struggles in their lives. I want my shadow to look like Jesus. That's my heart! It says in James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows". In the King James Version of the Bible it doesn't say "shifting shadows" but it says "shadow of turning". "Turning" in the Greek in this passage is 'entropy' which means "shame". I believe that through all of the false pretenses that people can make that this passage is saying that if you remain steady, in Gods will and living and looking like God even in your reflection that there will never be a 'shadow of turning' there will never be any 'shame' because you will look and be an exact reflection of the one who matters the most. So this morning, and every morning, I pray that as often as the sun (son) is shining on me that my reflection, my shadow in the light of day will look EXACTLY like the image of my Creator. Shadows can be amazing!