Have you ever played shadow tag as a
child? We frequently played this game on sunny days or with another light
source when playing inside. In the version that I learned, the person who was
the chaser\tagger would count to 10 and then run after the other players. He
would attempt to step on someone’s shadow. If your shadow was stepped on, you
were temporarily out of the game. The last person to evade the tag of a shadow
chaser was the winner.
How often do we as adults and
believers in Jesus still run from the shadow chasers? Hard times and negative
circumstances attempt to defeat us. But do they truly touch the real us? Or do
they merely attack the shadow of who we are in Christ? Concerning this life,
the Bible states, “our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is
no hope or expectation of remaining.” (1 Chronicles 29:15b AMP) Eternity is the true reality for the believer.
The spirit man within us will live far beyond the problems of this life. We can
also live in peace and joy during these times, knowing that only our earthly
existence is being touched.
Newcomers to the game of shadow tag generally play with the same
strategy you would play regular tag. The strategy involves running from the
pursuer, always aware of how close the pursuer is getting to you. If one is a
fast runner, this strategy can be successful. If one is not able to run as fast
as the pursuer, this strategy will not bring about good results. Either way
this strategy becomes exhausting.
Man-made religion and good works are bit like this strategy. We
can try to outrun temptation or trials by setting up rules to live by and
formulas to follow. Don’t get me wrong, living by the principles in God’s word
is essential to life. Trying to live by them in our own power is both
exhausting and futile. Trials, like the pursuer in the game, can come at us
from an unexpected turn, touching our shadow and our daily lives.
The more experienced and most successful players of shadow tag use
the most unorthodox and unexpected defense. During the initial 10 count, this
player acts like the others and puts as much distance between him and the
pursuer as possible. Once the pursuit is on, the tactics change drastically.
The skilled player no longer runs from the pursuit, but turns to face it.
He has chosen the path of his run carefully and now the sun is directly before
him. Facing the sun, his shadow is always behind him. In order for the shadow
chaser to step on the shadow, he must pass the actual player, who is ready to
maneuver and block the attack.
God’s word gives us many of the same
principles for our approach to life. We are to run with the Son of God daily.
Just as sunshine provides light, Jesus is our light. “Once more Jesus addressed the crowd.
He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows
Me will not be walking in the dark, but will
have the Light which is Life.” (John 8:12 AMP) When the
trials of life find us, we are to turn and face them head on. We are always to
look to the Son, seeing the brightness of His promises even more than our
problems.
When we turn toward the enemy, he stands
face to face with the real us. He sees this truth, “Yet amid all these things we
are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory
through Him Who loved us.” (Romans
8:37 AMP) It is time for us to, “Arise
[from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise
to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for
your light has come, and the glory of the Lord
has risen upon you!” (Isaiah
60:1 AMP) He must look at that glory and pass that conqueror to get to the
shadow that is this life. Although he may at times actually step on that
shadow, but he cannot touch the spirit that has an eternal destiny.
So, play the game to win and have fun
while you play. Do not look at the circumstances and trials that pursue
you. Remember that this life on earth is a mere shadow. The real
you is eternal, so always walk in peace and joy, keeping the Son of God in
eyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment