Reflections and Shadows

A simple phenomena occurs when an object is placed so light shines on it. That object both reflects some of that light and casts a shadow. The reflection and the shadow are not the object nor the light, but it says something about both of them.

Christians are supposed to reflect the light we have been given from God. That light is Christ who called Himself the Light of the world (John 8:12). When He shines in our lives, we are supposed to reflect His image and be like Him. The only way I can do that is walk in the truth that He gives me, and when I do, He can make His light ‘bounce’ off me into the lives of others. By that ‘reflection’ they will know about God.

The Old Testament prophet Hosea used a different metaphor to illustrate the same thing. He says, “Those who dwell under (restored Israel’s) shadow shall return; they shall be revived like grain, and grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon” (14:7).

The people of God (then and now) are supposed to cast a shadow that makes them people of positive influence. Whether by our light or in our shadow, we can draw others to God and be an influence for new life and growth. The word “scent” in this verse is literally “remembrance” indicating that every thought of us should be as pleasing as the aroma of a good wine.

Sounds good, but in reality, many people do not react to Christians that way, or at least to their notion of Christianity. Our reputation is not always like “fine wine” but too often muddied and unpleasant. Sometimes that is a result of the way some Christians behave and we ruin the reflection, but more and more I see us trying to overcome the false way we are represented. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is one, and unfortunately, the fakes get more press. They also become, in the minds of the masses, what Christianity is all about.

Everyone knows about the rogues and the fundamentalist nut cases, but how many people know about Iris, or Agnes, or Mary, or Ivan, or Steve or Mike? These are real people that live their lives in the light of Christ. They reflect His beauty to those around them. They are humble people who would be surprised how much their shadow influences others. These people, and many others like them, “smell” good.

However, the Bible is clear that those who live godly lives will be persecuted. In our country, many forms of persecution that happened in Bible times would be illegal. For that reason, we don’t get direct attacks. Instead, we suffer such sideways blows like misrepresentation. Instead of being recognized for goodness and truth, we stand in the shadow of false teachers who label themselves “Christian.” These people often wind up in the news for saying and doing the opposite of what real Christians say and do, and their ‘shadow’ has its influence, even on true believers. We become hesitant to identify ourselves for fear others will think ‘fake and hypocrite’ because that is the only kind of ‘christian’ that they know.

God does say that those who genuinely walk in His Light will shine like lights in this world, and that Christ will be seen in them. When Joe Public doesn’t recognize or refuses to honor that Light, we are not supposed to demand our rights, cry foul or complain about the unfairness of it all. Instead, we are to demonstrate God’s longsuffering patience, and keep on casting reflections and shadows.

The bottom line is that Jesus said what happened to Him will also happen to those who believe in Him. That means that if I am going to shine or cast shadows for Him, I might make a difference to some, but I am also going to get shot at by others.

Update: Bob said this morning that getting eight hours sleep is really noticeable. He hasn’t done that for a long time. He will be off work for four weeks, but is bored already and this is only Day Two.