dark shadows

You probably thought this was going to be a review for the movie, well...no.  I wasn't trying to trick you, there just wasn't any other way to say it!  So, go ahead, now that you're here...read on.

Any student of art or science is exposed to the effects of 'light,' during some point in their studies.  And one of the most profound effects, as far as I'm concerned, is the presence of shadow.  Consider this: there can be no shadow without light.  Period.  It simply isn't possible.

And, that got me to thinking...

Shadows produced by light interference can be positive or negative.  Either way, we can learn some valuable lessons from the experience. To illustrate, I'll simply use myself as the example.  Suppose that I am feeling anxious or depressed or moody. At times such as these, I always look around to see where the Lord is.  Since He IS the Light, then I can safely assume that when I am experiencing shadow in my life, it isn't because He has turned...it's because something has come between me and Him...my source of Light!  I need to check myself for anything that is opposite of His fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control).  Maybe I am withholding forgiveness. As soon as I deal with that matter sincerely, the shadow will withdraw and the Light will become bright again. What if upon self-examination, I discover a root of bitterness that was never plucked up? It will thrive and grow, creating an enormous shadow between me and the Light.  I must chop it down, pull up the roots and never allow even a sliver to survive. What if I have simply missed an opportunity to have a Servant's heart and bless someone else...Then, my own self-worth grows bigger and bigger creating self-inflicted shadows over my life!

The Light is always there, but shadows exist whenever something comes between Him and me.  It's up to me to keep everything in proper balance.  Those are examples of negative shadows.

What about positive shadows?  I think they occur at those special times in our lives when He is holding us so tightly that we are completely covered "under the shadow of His wings." And let me tell you, friend, I've been there.  I've been in the depth of heartache and despair that is so deep that I'm not sure I'll survive, but that's when He holds me...real close...so close that I can feel His heartbeat, and it makes me calm in the midst of devastating troubles.  Yes, there are positive and negative shadows. Rest in the one and learn from the other.

traveling light

Have you ever planned a trip and packed up more than you really needed? Most of us have. We haul our baggage out to the car, haul it into the terminal, and lug it around some more while waiting to board. It's a common sight. We usually have too much baggage to handle comfortably.

In an attempt to make things easier for us, we are allowed to 'check' some of our baggage. But, like everything else on the planet, that privilege comes with a price-tag. Not only do you pay an extra monetary fee, there is the slight chance that any baggage that leaves your own watchful eye could actually go astray and become 'lost.'

The very idea sends signals for an anxiety attack for many, and so we stuff everything we can into the largest carry-on allowed, and stow it in the overhead. Then we watch the baggage cart and make sure that we see our checked bags loaded onto the plane. Now we can relax. All our of stuff is only inches away!

One of my favorite musical groups, back in the day, was Herman's Hermits. I still smile when I hear any of their tunes on the radio. But recently, for no apparent reason, a particular song popped into my head and took up residence for a few days...this is me: smiling, as I hum the lyrics...

"Got no bags and baggage to slow me down,
 I'm a-travelin' so fast my feet ain't touchin' the ground...
 Travelin' light...travelin' light,
 And I just can't wait to be with my baby tonight."

And...you guessed it...that got me to thinking...

For their purposes, the travel industry (particularly, the airlines) defines 'checked' as "being consigned to a common carrier." Imagine that! Our bags are actually intended to be loaded on the same plane that we are on, going to and arriving at the same destination. Ah, yes...in a perfect world. Perhaps the solution is as simple as the song suggests: just travel light, take only what you really need.

Compare the way we live with taking a trip, going on a journey. We often pack up more than we really need and just haul it around. We collect extra baggage made up of doubt, worries and fears, unresolved bitterness, jealousy and strife...the list goes on and on. If we insist on dragging all this stuff around with us everywhere, eventually, the inevitable happens: we can no longer board with all of it...it must be checked and stowed below. In reality, that's not such a bad idea...'check' the extra baggage...consign it to the Father (who loves you!) and allow Him to take possession of it.

Or, better yet...stop taking any extra baggage that might need to be checked, and practice traveling light. You'll find that everything you really need will be there when you arrive at your final destination. Replace worry with a lighter load...faith. Replace that unforgiving thought with something that takes up less space...mercy and grace. Pack love and generosity and take it everywhere instead of all the extra baggage that accumulates when we are self-centered and unforgiving. As you journey through this life...my prayer is that you will always travel light!

Just relax...and enjoy the journey!