LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF CHRISTIANITY

I was watching a television programme some months ago about the children of prominent celebrities living in the shadow of their parent’s success. Each of the “children” (now adults) complained of the difficulties inherent in being taken seriously in the entertainment industry because of who their parents were. The parent’s success providing a reason for their inactivity – an excuse for their lack of success.

The Bible outlines two purposes for shadow – to protect people from the light (enabling them to recover from the heat of the day), and to cover up unhealthy and immoral practices.

Jesus, on the other hand is the light. The source of truth, wisdom, warmth and strength.

19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

21 but whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Many Christians seem to sit in Christ’s shadow, occasionally bathing in his reflected light and feel that is enough to secure their eternal salvation. Jesus calls us to seek the light: the knowledge, truth, warmth and strength that only he can provide.

Too many of us relax in Christs shade without ever really venturing into his light, similarly too many people relax in the shade of committed Christians –attaching themselves to their activities, their ministries without ever venturing to discover their own.

It is impossible for us to move wholly out of the shadow of Christ, we must occasionally recover in His shade, but it is absolutely appropriate for us to move out of the shadow of other Christians and to encourage other Christians to move out of ours.

We are called to be the Light of the world - to reflect the light of Jesus onto an unsaved world.

Lord we thank you for the light you provided in venturing onto this earth. You are a lamp that shines out of the darkness of this world, providing hope and direction where previously there was none.

We acknowledge our responsibility to carry your light – so that others can also find their way out of the darkness.

And Lord we ask for the conviction and determination to step wholly into your light: to bathe in the truth, knowledge and wisdom that only you can provide. Amen.