HD Homilies- Shadow

Last week ENan and I went on a late afternoon walk in our neighborhood.  We walk nearly every day, talking about family, friends, current events and a multitude of other topics.  We take note of houses we like, yards that need mowing, airplanes flying overhead - as we walk along.

This particular day I noticed our shadows.  Maybe it was because the afternoon sun was lower in the sky and casting longer shadows in front of us, but I realized how seldom I pay attention to shadows.  Our shadows are always present - at least when the sun or streetlights are shining.  They are always under our feet and follow us wherever we go.  Other than spooking sand crabs on the beach who experience unexpected darkness as we walk by, I don’t think anyone pays attention to our shadows.

There is an interesting story in the Book of Acts about the apostle Peter.  The apostles were preaching the good news of Jesus and were performing signs and wonders.  More and more people became believers as they saw God working through these followers of Jesus.  “As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.”  (Acts 5:15)  The people felt that the Spirit was so strong in the life of Peter that even his shadow had power and influence.

I have known people like that - people whose life was so full of God’s love and grace that it felt like I was better every time I was around them.  Their influence on me was sometimes the direct result of a conversation or an act of love on their part.  Other times they made a difference just by being in the room.  They unconsciously carried a shadow of peace or integrity or humility that they probably did not even realize.  But others in the room noticed and it made us better, stronger, more in tune with God.

What I have noticed about shadows is that they only exist where there is light.  Followers of Jesus -  like Peter - who have such a powerful influence on others know the source of their being is Jesus - the Light of the World. 

The closer we walk to the light, the more clearly our shadow shows.

-Dr. Jim Baldwin