The shadow that creates history

Text: Psalms 144: 3, 4 & 11
Key Verse: Acts 15:5, “As a result, people kept carrying their sick into the streets and placing them on stretchers and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he went by” (ISV).

Life is like a passing shadow and ‘Shadow’ in this context means a legacy. Life is in phases, after performing you quit. But the most important thing is the impact you create. You must definitely quit the stage or expire someday either by age, retirement or special circumstance. Nobody has a certificate of occupancy of any position he is occupying. Someday you shall be qualified with the prefix “Ex” or “Late.”

What you consider great and powerful today may be ordinary and insignificant tomorrow. For example, in the years past, Secondary School Certificate was rated high and can earn someone a good job, but today, a first degree is an introductory degree. Whatever you are today, you are a passing shadow. You need to maximise your days on earth to make a long lasting impact and leave behind good legacies. Rev. Cimino said, “Hang a door or window wherever you go.”

What impact are you making today, positive or negative? The impact is not amassing wealth and other material possessions. It is not occupying high positions in the society without leaving good legacies behind. Every politician occupying an elective position must ask himself, what legacy he is leaving behind? Bible recorded that people kept carrying their sick into the streets and placing them on stretchers and mats, so that at least Peter’s shadow might heal them. What a great impact!

Making an impact is not about parading yourself with so many degree titles and awards, but actually touching people’s lives. Peter was a poor fisherman, unlearned man and a man, who made a great mistake by denying Jesus, yet his shadow made history. Peter never commanded people to line up the streets or condoned such actions. The only facts that we can draw from the wording of verse 15 are that people obviously had a high regard for Peter as a man of God and they placed faith in the efficacy of even his shadow.

Of course, it was a supernatural power, which wrought so wondrously in Peter’s shadow. God was pleased to use it in this way to impress the people with the divineness of being in Christ. You cannot expect to be able to work miracles of healing through your shadow, but you cast shadows wherever you go, and your shadow has either wholesome or unwholesome influence over other lives. The question is, what kind of shadow do you cast? What is the effect of your presence on other people? Do you inspire cheerfulness, gladness and hope wherever you go? Or is the effect of your influence depressing and disheartening?

Peter’s shadow had healing power in it. The sick, upon whom it rested even for a moment, as he passed by, became strong and well, and rose up cured and happy. You should carry with you, wherever you go, a like influence of healing and blessing. You should seek to have an influence that will be a blessing wherever it reaches. The way to have such a shadow is to be filled with the mind that was in Christ Jesus. Then, your name will be as ointment poured forth — a holy fragrance. Then, your life will be full of wholesome and healthful inspirations. Then, wherever you go, you will make it easier for others to live victoriously. Someone makes this little prayer:

May every soul that touches mine,
Be it the slightest contact, get therefrom some good,
Some little grace, one kindly thought,
One aspiration yet unfelt, one bit of courage.

Since you believed in Jesus, how many souls have you brought to the Lord? What are people’s testimonies about you? Are you such a comfort to others? You are not getting younger, don’t be deceived. Start making an impact today, so that history will not forget you.Today’s Nugget: May every soul that touches mine, Be it the slightest contact, get therefrom some good.

Prayer: Lord help me to cast a shadow that will bring healing and blessings to others.
Prayer line: Send text only to 09078154261.Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, General Superintendent Assemblies of God Nigeria
E-mail: evangelgospel@yahoo.com