What’s In Your Shadow?

I was surprised to hear that I was still highly regarded

Acts 5:12-16

Reference: As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. (Acts 5:15 NIV)

Explore: I was recently talking to an old friend of mine who now attends the same church I used to work at. He was updating me on all the people we mutually knew and was telling me about everything that was going on in the life of the church.

It was great to hear that some of the programs that I had initiated were still going strong. It was lovely to hear of familiar names and recall some special memories from my past.

My friend then told me of a number of occasions in the recent past when people from the church had mentioned me. I was surprised to hear that I was still highly regarded as it had been quite some years since I’d worked there.

With my tongue firmly in my cheek, I joked that I had still been able to maintain a saintly persona even though I was no longer around. But my friend confirmed that my old congregation still spoke glowingly of me and that I should be proud of what I had achieved whilst I had worked there.

Application: The work you are doing right now is important for the present, but it’s beneficial to stop every now and again and consider the impression you are leaving behind.

In our environmentally friendly world today we are often asked to think of the carbon footprint we are leaving behind. But our actions leave an impact on other people as well. Sometimes the effect brings blessing and life, but there are times when what we leave behind is dark and hurtful.

When the apostles continued Jesus’ ministry after His resurrection, they were having a huge impact on the world around them. Their impression was so immense that even the sick and the lame desired to be in Peter’s shadow, as what he left behind him was greater than a lot of other religious people put before them.

This is a great challenge for us even today. While we all strive to live the best life that we can, what are we leaving behind us? When everything is said and done, would people feel the benefit of being witnesses to the shadow we have left behind us?

Prayer: Lord, the impression You left on this world solidified our past and brought hope to our future. When it comes to living our life every day, may we consider the impact we could have on those we come to know. Amen.

What impact are you leaving behind you?

Acts, future, impact, impression, mission, past, shadow