There is a Shadow
There is a shadow
It follows me, surrounding me in darkness
No matter where I go, I can’t seem to escape it
I have tried to run, I have tried to hide
But, this shadow never seems to leave my side
There is a shadow
And I can’t help but wonder if it’s mine
There are times,
Times when I can see the light
Oh, and when it shines, it’s oh so bright
I can feel its warmth like a hug or a blanket on a cool night
It comforts me and I try my best to hold on,
“Just a moment longer, please...”
Suddenly my shadow, it’s gone
It runs in fear, it trembles in the presence of the light
Oh, if only it would make my shadow stay away,
If only the light would remain
I cry out “Oh Lord please stay!”
“Stay and have your way!”
Suddenly I can see a hand coming out of the light,
It reaches out to me, calling me by my name
Just as I reach out to grab on, there is a strong pull...
My shadow, it screams in pain
“You are not worthy enough, who do you think you are?”
My shadow, it laughs at me and mocks my very being
I begin to believe her and as I do.... I can see the light disappearing
Before long, I am covered in complete darkness and shame
My shadow attaches the chains and says “This is who you are, there is no one who can save”
I fall back into my old patters, back into my old ways
Sometimes I find myself wondering about the light...
Wondering when there will be another sunny day
Daughter, oh my daughter
I see you,
I see you and the chains that bind you
I hear your cries, the way your heart longs for me
I am here. I am always here.
You may not see me, you may not hear me,
but I promise you I am always right here.
I am waiting for you,
waiting for you to choose me just as I have chosen you.
That light you see,
It’s true, it’s me.
I long for the day when you will grab my hand.
I will pull you out of the darkness, I will show you my plan.
I am for you; I am the way.
Come to me my daughter,
It’s in my presence you will no longer feel shame.
Here I am.
Here I am.
I will continue to sit and wait.
My light will shine, and my hand will reach for you, every moment of every day.
Do you ever feel like you are being followed, only, the person following you seems to never leave? Maybe this thing that follows seems to only show up just when things are going good. Maybe it shows its face when you are drowning in stress or anxiety. Maybe it follows you as you walk around, reminding you of your loneliness. Maybe, just maybe you too have a shadow who reminds you just how much you need the light.
You see, we all have a darkness. That thing that we call sin and shame. It follows us around just waiting to have its way. But the good news you ask? The good news is that the light shines no matter the time of day. The one, true source of light, his name is Jesus Christ. He came and bore our sins and shame, so that we may no longer be afraid. So, that darkness that you carry around, that shadow that appears as you see your reflection, it has no hold on you. That’s not who you are. Jesus came to open our eyes so that we may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that we may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.- Acts 26:18
So, I ask. Do you believe you are worthy to receive this light? Because guess what? You are. In fact, he had your name in mind as he came to bear our sins and carry the weight of our shame. May darkness tremble in his presence and may his light shine on all of your darkness, as it may never be able to comprehend it.
