More than a Shadow
There is an anime called “Kuroko's Basketball” in which the main character is seen as a shadow. In almost every episode there is a scene in which he is standing right by someone and they never notice him. So much so that when they finally do see him, they jump out of their skin in startled surprise. Whether it’s his lack of height, talent or larger than life personality, the common consensus by most is to undervalue him and never give a second notice.
I think many of us feel this way from time to time in our lives. I know I have a time or two. We see our daily routines such as folding laundry, watching grandkids or sitting behind a small cubicle as mundane and insignificant. However the Bible tells us that God sees and notices everything about you (Psalm 139:1-3). Who you are and what you do, including those seemingly insignificant tasks– everything about you – has immense value and purpose to Him.
Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-36, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
One of the most important lessons I have learned is to not allow other people’s opinion of shadow-like living define my purpose or value. I remember an old English high school teacher of mine trying to cast that on me. She heard I was not planning to go to college, but rather staying home to raise my son. I remember her begging me to promise her that at some point I would go and pursue a higher education. Basically what she was saying to me is “Your life will be mundane and have no value or purpose unless you shine in a career from a higher education.”
While her perception of me might be true from her point of view, as many stay-at-home moms are made to feel about themselves, I know my identity and purpose are more than just standing in the shadow of my children’s activities and spouse's career. One day, I saw a woman on a regular, mundane grocery run, struggling to carry her grocery bag. I offered to help carry it to her car and on the way I discovered she had just lost her mom. I was there to grieve with her, give her a loving hug and pray with her in the parking lot that day. I may not be a CEO of a multimillion dollar company, but “living in the shadow” brought comfort and healing to a hurting someone that day. I find joy, happiness and purpose living there.
Perhaps today you feel like a shadow; unseen, unnoticed and undervalued. I hope this encourages you as it does me, that everything we do, no matter how great or small, is seen by and matters to God. (Ephesians 2:10) Whatever mundane thing you find yourself doing today, be faithful to it. Whenever we provide food, clothing, hospitality, kindness or comfort to those all around us, God sees and it moves His heart! So whenever you feel like you are living in the shadows, unseen and unnoticed in life, I pray your perspective changes. Why? Because who you are and what you do has tremendously significant value.
