Sunday Writing... 2-1-19... "SHIFTING SHADOWS"

Good morning!

Today is our fifth writing in the series about light during this season of Epiphany.  We can't have shadows without light.  "SHIFTING SHADOWS" will take you from Groundhog Day to our salvation.  Seem like a stretch?  Check it out below!

Blessings,
Jan

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Today's Devotional: 

"SHIFTING SHADOWS"

by

Jan Andersen

Yesterday was an important prognostication day in the U.S. and Canada.  It is an annual foretelling of future weather changes by an infamous rodent of the marmot family group,  also known as a woodchuck, more familiarly known as a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil.  February 2nd is Groundhog Day, and there is a tradition at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to pull the groundhog out and see if he can see his shadow.  Supposedly, if he sees his shifting shadow (meaning the sun must be out and shining brightly), he will be spooked back into his den and there will be 6 more weeks of winter.  If it is cloudy and no shadow to be seen, there will be an early spring.  We like to joke that it is either 6 more weeks of winter if it is sunny, and only one and a half months til spring if it is cloudy!  Ha!  Unfortunately, Phil’s predictive accuracy has only been 39% in the last 30 years or so.  You have better chances at being correct if you flip a coin! 

Surprisingly, the origins of Groundhog Day likely come from a Christian Holy Day, Candlemas, which is on February 2nd, the 40th day of the Christmas-Epiphany season.  It is the commemoration of the presentation of the 40-day-old baby Jesus at the Temple to be dedicated to God.  Early German Christians believed that a sunny day on Candlemas meant 6 more weeks of winter would occur, based on an old weather tradition.  Sound familiar?  This is the day that some Christians bring their candles to their church to be blessed, which are symbols of Jesus Christ, the light of the world.  Interestingly, candles can create spooky shifting shadows. 

Shadows can be frightening, for sure.  They can make objects appear much larger than they really are, produce a morphed image cast on the ground or a nearby wall, or shift quickly when the object moves or the light source wavers.  For example, a large horse can spook at the sight of its own shifting shadow cast against a wall, especially near dusk or just after dawn.  The light available at that time is poor, and the shadow is longer with the low angle of the sun.

The shifting shadows of life can be distressing as well.  The dangers and difficulties of this life can create significant fear in our hearts.  Our hearts are inherently defective from the time we are born.  We may try to trust God at all times and not be afraid, but none of us are perfect at this.  Sins are shadows in our lives as well.  When we try to stop sinning, it never lasts long.  Sometimes we have the same shadow that keeps reappearing, and when we try to shine a light on it to make it disappear, the shadow may simply shift and morph into some new form.

Thankfully we have a God who never changes, whose love for us never fails.  He sent his Son, the perfect gift who came down from heaven to stand in our place and take the punishment for our sins.  But the shifting shadows of this life could not overpower Him.  He even overcame the darkness of death through his resurrection.  Now He promises us life everlasting with Him in heaven if we remain faithful.  Even when there are clouds blocking our view of the Light, He is there and will walk us through it.  Thank God He never changes like shifting shadows do! 

James 1:17 NIV. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Dear Lord, Light of the World, only You can overcome our shifting shadows in this life. Cast out all our fears. Forgive us, no matter how big or how repetitive our sins may be.  Help us to hang on to the free gift of everlasting life through faith in You, no matter how many clouds block our view.  All thanks be to You, who with the Father and Spirit are one. Amen.   

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Song:

GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT

Trent (Vineyard Worship)

WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS FAST FLASHING LIGHTS

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From Groundhog Day to Candlemas

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you

 by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff

 of Women's Focus Ministries.

Blog Writers:

Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,   

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Karen Bennett, 

Bre Miller, Cathy Friberg, and  Corinne Mustafa

Elizabeth McElderry, Betty Espindola,  Lynda Kinnard

Amie Spruiell, and Debbie Rodriguez

Occasional Contributors:

Kathy Bireley, Terri Baker, Beverley Napier,

 Kelly Dobyns, Glenna Williamson,

  Amie Spruiell, and Lisabeth Lipp.