An Everyday Voice: In His Shadow

Whenever I can steal time with my kids and grandkids I?ll take it, so last week those of us who live locally escaped to Big Bear Lake for a few days. I brought home some fantastic memories, and one great insight.

It was a wonderful time of boating and parasailing on the lake, roughhousing with my three grandsons, and playing board games with my family and laughing so hard it hurt. On the last morning we decided to take a walk before wrapping things up.

The neighborhood was gorgeous. Luxurious vacation rental homes were surrounded dark green pine trees and framed by that uniquely mountain blue sky. My son, Derek, watched the unusual way my three-year-old grandson, Ryder, was walking.

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?What are you doing?? he asked Ryder. Ryder had been looking down as he walked close to his Aunt Bethany, carefully moving, stopping, or turning when she did. He had stayed close to her side most of the weekend, so this was no exception. He shyly looked up at Derek, and very softly confessed: ?I like to walk in her shadow.?

He chose to walk in her shadow. Because he loves her and enjoyed her company, he thought it a good thing to copy what she did.

And there is was?I realized that all I really want is to walk in Jesus? shadow.

If I am in His shadow, I am also surrounded and enfolded by His presence. I am near to Him, following Him, and walking where He leads. And there is no place I would rather be.

Like Ryder, I choose to walk in the shadow of the One I love.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Psalm 36:6-7

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^{I will say of the Lord, ?He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Psalm 91:1-2}

Further reflection:

1. Does walking in someone?s shadow have a positive or negative connotation for you?
2. Take your journal (or other paper) and make a list of the benefits of walking in Jesus? shadow.

Lord, I want to walk in Your shadow. I yearn to stay close to You, to go where You go, and follow where You lead. Thank You for making room for me in the shadow of your wings, and for the promise of rest there.

Source: http://www.aneverydayvoice.com/2012/07/in-his-shadow.html

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