Me and My Shadow

shadowsIMG_3802

When my older boys were entering their teen years, we helped them find opportunities to shadow some men in the workplace. The purpose was for them to get an idea of what it was like to work in each career field. They spent the whole day following the man around like a shadow.

Have you ever considered your shadow? What does your shadow look like? It looks like you! It’s the silhouette of your body as it appears in front of the sun or another bright light. Your shadow moves and acts exactly as you do.

So consider for a moment that someone approaches you and asks if they can shadow you for a whole day to see what your life is about. Much like a career shadow, they would follow you around watching your actions. Watching how you interact with others. Watching how you make decisions. They would see how you handle stress, what choices you make regarding your health, and perhaps how you handle your money.

As a Christ-follower, you are made in His image. You’re supposed to reflect His character. So your shadow should look a little like Him, don’t you think?

So, the question is: If someone followed you around all day, would they know, without you telling them, that you have asked Jesus Christ to be Lord of your life? Could they tell from your actions that He is the most important person in your life? Could they tell by your interaction with others, that you exhibit His compassion for those you come in contact with every day?

If we were to shadow Jesus, we’d know exactly who we were following. If others shadow us, who would they see? Do we look more like Jesus or more like everybody else?

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6 (ESV)

 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”1 Corinthians 11:1(ESV)