This is an award winning photograph of camels walking across the desert in Africa. When I read it had won an award, I immediately wondered, “for what?” The caption on the photo then admonished viewers to look closer, which I did. Nothing…at first.
Then I saw it. I was not really looking at a bunch of dark camels walking across the desert… I was looking at their shadows! I instantly agreed the photograph was worthy of whatever award it had won…and got a revelation from God at the same time. Shadows.
In reality, because of the relative angle and position of the sun, the camel’s shadows appeared much larger than the actual camels themselves. My eye was drawn to the shadows and I almost missed the camels in the process!
Why was this so revelatory to me? I have been encouraging the men in my church to understand that the way others see us is often times in a much better light than we see ourselves. We know we are “camels” in size and stature, but others see our shadow and therefore see us bigger in their eyes.
One definition of a shadow is a reflection, and they are created when an object is between the viewer and a source of light. If God is our light source, when He is allowed to reflect Himself through us, WE appear bigger and better!
The shadow that we can cast, when properly positioned, is like the greater influence or footprint we have when we are in His will. Others may not see all of our flaws and faults, mess ups and mistakes. But God does…and He shines through us anyway!
We have more influence, more impact, than we normally give ourselves credit for. People are looking at our example, our lives, and they are seeing God in us. It encourages and inspires them, it motivates them, and yes, sometimes it convicts them.
My prayer is that we will position ourselves to always reflect a large shadow, not that others will think more of us than they should, but that God will be glorified through us, and others will be inspired to want Him to shine through them as well.
The way we can reach a lost and dying world is through an effective, genuine witness. Our life is our testimony and our influence needs to increase. As others watch us, some rooting for us, some against us…either way, we are casting a shadow of who God is in us.
What a witness we can be when others see our shadow and are impressed. Then when they get to know us, they will not be disappointed because we are less than our shadow, but they will be encouraged because they will recognize how much of an influence we have because of Him and in spite of us!
Lord shine on us…let your glory be revealed and reflected through us. May you increase as we decrease, and may our “shadow” ( your influence in and through us) remain larger than our natural life.
Everyday God... 