Shadows
Isaiah 30:1-3 KJV
(1) Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
(2) That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
(3) Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
There’s just something enticing about the shadow. Things are cooler in the shade. There’s escape from the brightness of the sun’s light inside its sphere. Perspectives change and everything is redefined there. So, what’s so bad about ending up there, just chillin’ and answering all the world’s problems?
All right- the truth will set you free, but when it comes to obtaining or living in truth, there is no substance whatsoever to that ‘truth’ discovered in the shadow. The reason for the shadow’s existence in the first place is that the real Truth has been deflected in some way, leaving an area where the only light is that reflected off other objects.
There is no lack for opinions. Based upon the ‘higher’ thoughts of those that are surely ’smarter’ and more ‘well-informed’, life decisions and heart passions are set. We have, after all, been given a brain to think with, and to follow after anything that doesn’t make sense to our logic and ’scientific’ deduction would be ignorant and foolhardy. This may be true, but a problem arises when the shadow is the place where the ‘answers’ are sought. Research obtained in the shadow will never fully portray all the truth. There may be portions and half truths, but until there is personal exposure to the Source of Truth Himself, only deflected and skewed processing can take place, because there is no real truth discovery where the Son’s light is shielded.
And it’s so easy to think of people who are doing this, running to the shadowy place of bondage for strength and trust. They’re quite proud of their ascent to elevated knowledge, and yet, they’re trapped and bound into slavery by the very thing they thought was their elevator. It’s easy to think of those poor souls and miss the moment when the shadow takes us in- when, instead of running to the only source of truth and understanding, circumstances in the shadows keep our thoughts in the darkness and the liberating light of God’s presence is kept from revealing to our opened eyes the solution born out of Truth. There will ever be a need to let our answers come in the light, refusing the perusing of the shade.
The Son is always shining above the clouds, and real strength, trust, and truth are continually awaiting those of us who will only step out of, instead of into the shadows. Why go back to those old, negative thoughts? Why go back to those debilitating habits? Why embrace and hold onto relationships where ‘friends’ are really taskmasters? Why let the deceptions of the shadow be an enticement, when the voice of the Master is waiting to speak directly to the heart that has bravely left the shadows for real adventure in the light.
