Shadows are fascinating. I doubt that there are ten normal adults on the planet who have never played with shadows. They are a part, I daresay, of everyone's childhood.They are long, they are short, they are wide, they are slender, they can bend, twist and dance but never of their own volition. Shadows do what the object that is directly in the rays of light does because a shadow is a patch of shade that is created when an object obstructs the path of light. It is this fact that children manipulate for fun.
But shadows can frighten as much as they can fascinate. When they appear unexpectedly or seem to be ominous, they cause pounding hearts, goosebumps and sweaty palms. Perhaps not all three of these, but at least one of these physical reactions is twinned to an instance of fear.
Why am I writing about shadows? I can assure you it is not the physics that intrigues me. The expressions that make use of the word 'shadow' and, particularly, its metaphorical association with influence are what I care about. As fascinating as shadows are, it is influence that I find compellingly remarkable.
Each of us has a sphere of influence. What we do and say trigger corresponding actions and words by others. If you take the time to think about it, influence is intriguing. Like shadows, influence is ubiquitous; unlike shadows, influence is invisible. We see patches of shade all around us but we only experience the effects of influence. Though people may fear shadows, these patches of shade are essentially harmless. Influence, though, can be insidious. So, we should be keenly aware of the shadows we cast and under whose shadow we fall. Regardless of how insignificant we may consider ourselves, there are always people watching and/or listening, ready to emulate us. Nobody can escape from influencing others or being influenced by others. This is a very sobering thought and I wish I could engrave it on the mind of every adult and child.
These days, I pray that God keep my children from evil influences and help them to cast bright shadows. I pray that my own influence will brighten the lives of others and help those in my sphere on to God's kingdom. You see, while it is possible to resist or avoid negative influence, very often a person is not even conscious that he or she is being influenced or is influencing others until the effects manifest themselves. Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have people who influenced me positively. Some of them were my peers; others were older and in authority. When I was studying for my bachelors I was strongly influenced by one of my lecturers. While I lived and learned in the shade she provided, I had no idea I was being influenced into being the kind of lecturer I am today. If I am compassionate, organised, dedicated and hardworking , it is because Cicely John demonstrated these virtues in my presence. Her influence was positive and has generated positive results. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Recently, a friend of mine shared with me how she was influenced into being a kind and caring teacher by her kindergarten teacher who was the opposite of kindness and care. Because her teacher was so insensitive, she vowed, even as a little five year old, to teach, and teach with love. Decades later, she can relate, as vividly as if they had just occurred, the unpleasant actions of her teacher. This set me to wondering about the other children in that kindergarten class. It is quite possible that there are people who are callous because that's what their kindergarten teacher modelled for them.
You may not be a teacher, but whatever you do, it is worth considering the shadows you cast. What traits will people exhibit when they emulate you? Proverbs 16:29 warns us that, "A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good." In the same vein, Proverbs 28:10 states, "Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession". These texts speak of influence. The adjective 'violent' could effectively be replaced by any other negative trait and clearly there is inevitable punishment for those who influence others into doing evil, but a just reward for those who influence others for good. Proverbs 3:33 makes this even more explicit. It states, "The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just".
Be blessed, my friend. In your words and by your actions, everyday of your life, strive to influence others for good. Be like the shadow of a tree that brings desirable relief to someone sitting or standing in that shade on a blisteringly hot day. Don't take influence for granted - neither the influence you exert nor the influence you have over others.
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