In a previous post, I blogged regarding the issue of shadows in our life. Drawing from the scripture of the Shulamite Bride, "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away," (Song of Solomon 2:17)

There are shadows in the life of Christ's disciples. I left this particular blog with the question, "How do you deal with the shadows?"

In this blog I want to answer this question.

The Shulamite Bride stated, "until."

This one word gives the answer to "how" any of us must face the shadows of life.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines "until" "as a function word to indicate continuance (as of an action or condition) to a specified time. For a time there will be "shadows" and they will eventually lift but, "until…."

This is the challenge.

The word until describes the activity of "waiting." I don't know about you, but for me "this is hard." It involves a lot of self-discipline in so many aspects.

Colossians 4:2, Paul wrote, "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." This word "watch" means to "stay awake." Shadows often lead us to get tired which results in becoming lax and sleepy in so many ways. The most dangerous perhaps is in our relationship with Christ. As any relationship requires, maintenance and work to be healthy, so does our walk with Jesus. Shadows lead us to become sleepy spiritually if we're not vigilant and intentional while walking thru them.

James 5:11, reads, "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." The word of interest in this verse is "endure" which means "fortitude or perseverance." I looked up the word "fortitude" and it means, "strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage" Endurance means we have perseverance in the face of pain, whatever the pain or adversity, with courage. Let me hasten to add, "this is not easy" but it's possible with the strength of the Lord. (Philippians 4:13).

We have no control over the length of the shadows and the place of the shadows. But we do have control over how each of us individually responds and reacts to whatever shadows we encounter.

Until….the day breaks and the shadows flee, we must "watch and endure" Both run contrary to our human nature's flesh that responds and reacts to conflict like water…we seek the path of least resistance. Watching and Endurance requires and conscience and intentional effort in the Shadows of life if we are to come thru them a "bEtter" person rather and "bItter" person.

Check back, please, because I'll write more on the latter part of verse 17 on what the shadows of life often make us "feel."

Until my next blog confabulation….God bless!