There was a book called “Inkheart” written originally in German by the author Cornelia Funke, made into a movie released in 2008 by the same name. They called the movie’s dark character “The Shadow.” The evil character named Capricorn could summon him. “The Shadow” character manifests at the end of the movie, but somehow there is a hovering sense of fear of “The Shadow” throughout the entire story.
We associate shadows with darkness, unknown, unseen, scary connotations that prevail in our minds and thoughts. We let what we are scared of, or what we do not know infiltrate our imagination [an imagination, by the way, that was given to us by God to use in co-creating with Him] and live as the characters in the movie…afraid of “The Shadow.” Even in the church, we learn to associate “The Shadow” with death. Just attend a funeral where they use the 23rd Psalm as their reading.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear not evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Let’s shine a light into this dark shadow and change our perceptions and perspectives of faith.
Perhaps the most quoted would-be Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” This is a prayer and petition of protection found in “The Shadow.” Psalm 63:7, “…for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.” This is a declaration of guidance satisfaction in the presence of God. Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
We read further in Isaiah 49 that living in the shadow is described as a place of equipping.
“He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow in his quiver he hid me away.” (verse 2)
In Hosea 14 the shadow is likened to the shade of a tree, from which we can bear fruit.
“…It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.” (verse 8)
Psalm 23 is not a Psalm of death, but a guide to LIFE. He walks with me through the “valley of the shadow of death.” The point of the sentence is not the shadow of death, but that HE walks with me through it.
If we would but sanctify our imagination realms and quit focusing on the shadow of death and submit only to the shadow of His Wings, we would be a better representative of His Kingdom.
BETTER COVENANT PERSPECTIVE
Peter and the first century disciples understood that their lives were a reflection, a resemblance of the image they/we are created in. Lived with an intentional awareness of His presence as the church grew and grew. In Acts 5:14-15 we read this…
“And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.”
Peter lived in The Shadow of the Almighty to such an extent that his own shadow brought healing. That is not a first century church truth, but an eternal truth available to each and everyone of us,
Oh, that we would - Trust deeper - Follow closer - Listen and obey.
“Because fear kills everything,’ Mo had once told her. ‘Your mind, your heart, your imagination.”― Cornelia Funke, Inkheart
At the end of the movie “Inkheart” the heroine, Meggie, does indeed face “The Shadow” as he is conjured by evil with plans of destruction. However, by then she had learned that the power within her imagination, and by the words that she spoke were sufficient to conquer the darkness she faced.
Seek to DWELL deeper in The Shadow of the Almighty, find what if feels like to be protected and guided. Spend time in The Shadow of the Almighty as you discover your purpose and identity and bear fruit of the Kingdom. Rest in The Shadow of the Almighty as He restores your soul.
Live from The Shadow of the Almighty - there is healing there!
Blessings and Peace!
Kammy