I tell people that since I don’t wear a watch I am never late. Of course
cutting down on time driven appointments helps, but while riding until recently,
bikes had no clocks. So I got pretty good at guessing the time, within a few
hours at least, by telling where the sun was. Hunger driven by time helps too.
But really by seeing where the shadows were. Also good at telling which
direction I was traveling before a GPS helped the lesser riders get lost.
Simple actually, sun in your face first thing in the morning, riding east. At
your back, riding west. Heading north east is to the right, west is left, and
all is well unless it rains or is cloudy. Then it is up to following road signs
and knowing if going north, a left turn puts you into the Pacific, east in the
desert, south at the border. All without a GPS or removing my hand from the
throttle. Riding we call it...you ought to try it sometime.
Now the position of the sun in the sky can also tell you what season it is,
low is winter, high is summer. Just like early travelers used it, the sun can
be a guide. And knowing it travels from east to west taking a southern route
helps too. Pretty smart huh, so why do I still show up late, or too early?
Sometimes the road dictates the pace, how many times Theresa has held dinner, or
we have been the last one in a diner before closing. Ever waited for the cycle
shop to open, or be a few minutes late? And you were wearing a watch, so I rest
my case. After all it is about the ride, so leave the watch and schedule behind
and enjoy it. Cold pizza, reheated spaghetti, and rewarmed stew still taste
good, even at 2 in the morning.
But I also ride by shadows, and shadows tells us things we need to know.
Again direction, they are welcome on hot days, a free benefit of what is
blocking the sun, and the longer the later it is as the sun sets. Again shadow
position tells which way you are going. In front of you, the sun is behind
you. Shadow following, the sun is in front of you, just in case you forgot your
sunglasses. No shadow at all, it is above you, and left and right point to west
or east. Also no shadows can mean darkness, or rain, and when they reappear it
means sunny roads ahead. Many things we can learn form shadows and sun
placement, how smart do you need to be reading a GPS? Some of us need no help
to get lost, makes me wonder how I ever got this far at all.
But shadows are a product of sunlight, or really something blocking the
light of the sun. But shadows can also help us tell where we are in our walk
with God. Walking in the light will produce shadows, and their position can
keep us in Christ. Many chase their shadows like my dog, who when sees hers
will chase it, just like following a laser pen. Some chase after God like that,
chasing but never catching, chasing the darkness of the shadow rather than the
light of Jesus. Sound familiar? Try this today, maybe a simple self test,
nothing scientific or scriptural about it, just for fun, and personal
inspection. Where is God in your life? Check your shadow. If your shadow is
ahead of you, God is behind and your are leading. Chasing a glimpse of God, but
not his light. If your shadow is behind you, you are walking into the light,
and he is ahead of you. Still seeking and following, yet at times shielding
your eyes to see better, or being blinded by the light. But what if no shadow
on a cloudy day? Where is God then? Above and everywhere, for when light is
everywhere, there is no shadow. You are walking, living, basking, and abiding
in his light and love. High noon when the light shines brightest, a good
description of our daily walk.
We wake and face the new day seeking God. Our shadow ahead, looking for
the son. Soon he is overhead and guiding us, and then as the day goes we rely
more on us and less on him, and the shadow is behind us again, and we need to
slow down and turn to him. Our position in him dictates where the shadow is,
and many a long shadow on an afternoon ride tells of his presence along during
the day. And the road ahead, as nothing feels so good as the sun at our backs,
but really when surrounded by the love of the son, Jesus Christ, and no shadows
do we really feel all his joy and love. Comfort in the fact he is with us,
behind us and ahead of us. That he is more reliable than the rising sun, and
ever present after it sets. Where the son is in your life will tell by your
shadows you leave. And shadows only come when walking in his light.
So the shadow knows just where Jesus is in our daily ride or walk. Looking
to him, or looking away, the shadow knows. It plays no favorites, just reports
where the light in your life. But when the shadow is hiding because the
darkness cannot stand in the light, God is leading, behind, above, and
below-everywhere. Just like we need to have Jesus in our lives. And on those
cloudy days, his light still shines so bright we see our own shadow in his
light. His love being shown in his light, son light no comparison to sunlight.
Remember just the other side of the clouds the sun is always shining somewhere
on earth. Both the sun and the son never set. Never rest. But Jesus can shine
in your life forever. No days or nights in heaven, it will be lit by God’s
love. Maybe no shadows in heaven either....just a thought. But you can bask in
the light of Jesus 24/7, no matter the time of day. Or year. Facing east or
west. And even without a GPS.
One last thing about God’s light. We are to not hide it, but also not
shine it in the eyes of oncoming traffic. Turn off the high beams, show
courtesy and compassion, let the light of God lead through you. Knowing full
well the position of your shadow will say more about Jesus in your life than
shouting it out. Be led by God’s light, travel in his Son’s light, and take
time to see where your shadow is leading you. Some find solace hiding is
shadows, believers find refuge in his light. Where is Jesus in your life, the
shadow knows.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com