Each card/project tells a story: I'm entering this project into the
Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge #130 where the challenge is to create a card / project using opposite shades, e.g. black/white; pink/red/; deep blue/baby blue, etc. The challenge is based upon the following text:
“You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.” (Ephesians 5:8-9).
Poppy
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I thought I would share a scapbook page I made for my first step-grandchild 'Poppy'. She was born on Thursday evening and was only hours old when this photo was taken. I can't take my eyes off her - she's pretty cute and looks so snug and safe all cuddled up close to her dad. This kind of reminds me of something I had on my mind to share this week... i.e. staying close to our Heavenly Father.
"...Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.”
Jesus said:
"I am the light of the world; whoever follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life" (John 8:12). Sin produces the opposite effect of light and brings darkness and despair. Ultimately, sin has brought death upon the whole world. But thanks be to God that He sent Jesus, who is the Light of the world, to undo the effects of sin and dispel the darkness in our lives (see
John's Gospel). We don't have to walk in darkness, we can live as children of light as mentioned in Ephesians 5:8-9.
.As I was pondering Ephesians 5: 8-9, another text came to mind:
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"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" (Psalm 23:4).
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The shepherd boy and Psalmist, David, was used to leading his flock of sheep from one area to the next in order to secure them with good pasture land, shelter and rest. Whilst doing so, he would have encountered many dangers and difficult situations, e.g. he would have come into contact with wolves, bears, lions, thieves, etc. Being a shepherd was certainly not an easy task in those days.
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Valleys and dangers,
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Yes, David was familiar with valleys and dangers; and whether you realise it or not, Psalm 23:4 has just as much relevance for us today as it did to David in his lifetime because we also enter into 'valley situations' and 'dangers' as we travel through life, e.g. whenever our lives are touched by pain, illness, disappointments, accident, temptation, gossip, misunderstandings, etc. Figuratively speaking, we may also encounter 'wolves in sheep's clothing'... not to mention 'the lion' who seeks to bring us down and destroy us, also known as 'the thief' who determines to steal our peace and joy in the Lord, i.e. Satan.
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Shadows
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For a long time, I never quite understood what the words "...valley of the shadow of death..." meant and always associated them with funerals. However, figuratively speaking, the word 'valley' in Psalm 23 could represent the 'valley situations' as explained above. But what about the word 'shadow'?
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Q What causes shadows?
A Darkness when impregnated with light against any object will cast the presence of a shadow!
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I am reminded of a text which emphasis this point :
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"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will find rest under the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1).
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We dwell in the shelter of the Most High through spending time in prayer and His Word. Therefore, I would encourage anyone who finds themselves in a valley situation today to bring God's Light into the situation through dwelling in God's presence. The darkness will dispel into a shadow, and just like David, you will be aware of God's presence beside you and therefore have nothing to fear.
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