Out of the Shadows

Shadows serve a lot of purposes don't they? Some are good, some are not. They cover, hide and conceal that which we don't want fully seen.

The scriptures use this picture of us under the shadow of God's wings seeking refuge. That is a good shadow. It preserves us until we are able to stand on our own.

I trained with the military in the Mojave Desert in California. In that environment we needed, coveted, looked for shade continually. We could not handle the direct powerful strength of the sun. Even the most experienced soldiers sought out the shade when needed.

I have been reading through Luke chapter 7 for the past week. It is a really neat story about Jesus as a guest at Simeon the Pharisees home.

Luke records for us that out from the shadows steps an incredibly brave and daring woman. A woman who wasn't on the guest list. A woman many in town knew and talked about because of her reputation. She was said to have been a woman who had led a sinful life.

This woman steps off the wall, into the light, and falls at the feet of Jesus. She begins weeping uncontrollably and wipes Jesus feet with her tears and hair and then pours perfume on them. She was done running, hiding, holding back. She had heard the stories about this Jesus and her hope would not allow her to stay in the shadows any longer. She went for it and when she sensed his acceptance of her all the years of rejection, hurt and pain boiled over into this heart felt display of worship.

Simeon didn't invite Jesus into his home to worship him but to investigate him and maybe even try to discredit him. We see this because he does not render the traditional honor to his visiting guest. He doesn't wash his feet or allow him to refresh himself before dinner.

Jesus reads Simeon's thoughts and tells a parable. A story about two people who had debts they could not satisfy. Two people who needed the grace and mercy of their master. The story is a picture of Simeon and the woman. One who was ready to admit and deal with their debt and the other who was still denying his own need.

This story shows us that where ever we are at in this process of trying to settle our debts with the master he is willing to work with us.

He is safe and will not embarrass us if we venture from the shadows and into the light. The threat of punishment, abuse and shame are over. David says in the Psalms, "The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).

Lets be done with trying to hide our inadequacies. Lets come out of the shadows and walk in the light. It is safe for all of us.

Check out these other verses...
Psalm 139:11-12 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Isaiah 9:2 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.