Me and my Shadow

Kim Peek is the man that the movie Rain Man was based on. He is an amazing autistic savant, who has an unlimited photographic memory. His father Fran Peek is his caretaker and they go everywhere together. To strike up conversation, his father will ask you your birthday. Kim can tell you what day you were born, and what day your 65th birthday will be on in seconds. He has memorized entire books and maps around the world. He amazes everyone with his vast knowledge.

Kim has rarely shown thoughtful insight. He surprised his father in an interview when he said, "My Dad and I share the same shadow." It touched his father and humbled me. I see Kim and Fran's relationship as a heavenly example of how we should be with God.

Am I walking so close to my Heavenly Father that I'm in His shadow? Do I get close enough to even touch the edge of His silhouette? I can say I have days when I feel the cooling shade of His presence in my life. But more often than not, I readily traipse outside His companionship. Without His protective shade, the burning demands of life dry up my ambition for anything. I crawl back, looking for that sheltering shade to revive my spirit from the scorch of reality. You'd think I would've learned by now!

How am I handling Life in His shadow? Am I reluctant and shy, or am I bolstered by His close presence to jump in and do whatever He asks? I should be less afraid to face anything, knowing that I am close enough to God to share His shadow! (Psalm 63:7)

Are you already there? When people see you, do they sense that something bigger is going on in your life? (When you share someone's shadow you look like one large being.) Don't be afraid to tell them what's going on when they ask.

Are you on the verge of heat exhaustion? Do you feel like you're fighting a battle all by yourself? When you were little, did you ever try to run away from your shadow? It's impossible. So it is with God. No matter how far you run away from Him, He's as close as the shadow of your right hand. (Ps 121:5)

Time to draw near to God. Read your Bible, pray and ask God to come near. Because the closer you are to a light source, the more defined your shadow will be.