My scariest memories as a child were watching “Dark Shadows” - a creepy vampire series. I remember watching it from behind a living room chair. From those early associations until now, there is something about shadows that can be disturbing, whether it’s a shadow on an x-ray or whispers of a shadow government. Instead of hiding in fear of shadows, I suggest we look for the light.
My Mysterious Mind
Lately, my Netflix focus has been conspiracy docuseries. These based-on-real-events shows have included “Painkiller” and “American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders.” In each of these shadow-stories, a journalist or attorney has tried to expose the wicked behavior of powerful people working in the background. These shadow conspiracies are profiting from the suffering of unaware victims or expanding the reach of political power, or both. Over the years I have also been fascinated by movies such as “Dark Waters,” which is about corporate coverup of the dangers of Teflon and the multi-year effort to bring justice to employees and neighbors damaged by its production.
In these, and similar cases, there are greedy, power-oriented people who work in the shadows. Brave individuals who notice something suspicious is happening dare to bring dirty deeds into the light. Working against a network of wickedness, sometimes these whistleblowers mysteriously die or disappear.
My personal experiences with secret agendas driven by those in power come from my leadership roles in local organizations. In one of those roles, I was told by a predecessor that he had “learned how the sausage was made” when he had been the leader. He was jaded by his time in the role I was entering; he was warning me about what might happen to me.
And I did see people I previously respected behaving in ways that I was disappointed to witness. But I wasn’t surprised to see powerful people working to serve their own interests or those of their buddies. It’s human nature, really, to want to better oneself. The danger is when there is collateral damage to others. I’m not going to name names here, though I could. Suffice it to say that I learned the dirty side of some people who presented a clean and shiny side to the public.
One of my earliest experiences with destructive shadow behavior involved a church leader who had a secret affair. When caught, he agreed to leave the church quietly. Most of the congregation members didn’t know about what happened. For them, a beloved leader was suddenly gone. I was brought in as a consultant to provide guidance to the remaining church leaders. The leader who left was discovered to have exited his previous congregation under mysterious circumstances. Likely the behavior would repeat itself in his future roles. Shadow behavior, left hidden, tends to resurface again and again.
I recently heard a speaker say, “where there is a shadow there is light.” There are no shadows without light. Rather than focusing on the shadow, the speaker’s advice was to focus on the light instead. Which has me wondering about the shadows in my life, places where there is trouble lurking in the darkness. Perhaps a shift in focus would illuminate the situation, bringing light to disperse the shadows.
Message of Mystery Acres
My husband and I have experienced some almost-magical moments in the forest. Among my favorites are the nights when a full moon brings the forest to life with distinctive moon shadows. The first time this happened, we were sitting in the clearing marveling at the brightness. My husband thought the light outside of the motorhome was shining on the side of the shed, a couple hundred feet away. No, those lights were off. The glow on the shed was from moonlight.
Looking around, we realized the forest was exposed with enough moonlight we didn’t need flashlights. I imagined indigenous people using such rare and beautiful nights to wander through the trees. There was a glorious freedom to having enough light at night to walk about easily and safely. And the shadows were mystical and mesmerizing.
The message of Mystery Acres is about the power of light in the darkness of night. Even when just a reflection of the original source, light can chase away the dark and turn shadows into magical places. The problem isn’t the presence of darkness or shadows, the problem is the absence of sufficient light. Where there are shadows, there is light. With enough light, the shadows are less ominous, perhaps even beautiful. Perhaps.
Ancient Mystery’s Voice
“Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the schemes of evil people.” (See Psalm 64:2)
People conspiring in secret is nothing new; there are multiple accounts of such scheming in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. The word “conspiracy” is even used in some of the modern translations, one of which is from the New International Version (or NIV) and found in the 64th Psalm. The second verse, translated in the Interlinear Bible, refers to hiding from “the secret company of the plunderers, from the tumult of the evildoers.”
Finding this verse was oddly comforting to me. The prevalence of conspiracy docuseries and movies might make us think that such conspiracies are a sign of our modern, troubled times. The human tendency for conspiracy is, however, woven into the fabric of our troubled humanity. Selfish acts have been followed by attempts to coverup the evidence since the first disobedience in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve hid from God after eating the forbidden fruit. Over the centuries to follow, misconduct was typically followed by attempts to hide the consequences. One noteworthy story is when King David had an affair, impregnated the woman, and then schemed to have her husband die in battle to cover up his misconduct.
The Psalmist wrote about such selfish behaviors being done by groups of wicked, scheming, evil people. Beyond the behavior of individuals, by the time of the Psalms there were clusters of schemers working behind the scenes. There is further evidence of such wicked plots in the record of the early kings, described in books such as first and second Kings. Roll the timeline forward to today, and such plots continue. And some, because of the interconnected nature of the globe, have reached international, epic proportions.
The words of Ancient Mystery assure us that there is nothing new under the sun (See Ecclesiastes 1, verse 9), evil plots have been a part of fallen humanity for thousands of years. Rather than be paralyzed with fear, we can cry out, like the Psalmist, for protection from “the conspiracy of the wicked, from the schemes of evil people.” When I watch conspiracy documentaries and see the wickedness perpetrated in the shadows, I am reminded that fallen humanity is still fallen and very much in need of a Savior. I am also inspired by the courageous individuals who try to bring light into these dark schemes.
And not all shadows are bad. The Psalmist also wrote about being protected by the shadow of God’s wings. In the 63rd Psalm, verse 7, the writer declared “I will sing in the shadow of Your wings.” What a beautiful image that depicts! While troublemakers lurk in the shadows, I can be kept safe in the shadow of the Creator’s wings. There I am protected from the plots and tumult of those who conspire for themselves, no matter the consequences for others.
Living in Mystery
What does it mean to live in the mystery of shadows, looking for the light? First, it means recognizing the shadowy reality of fallen humanity and living in that recognition with neither despair, terror, nor ignorance. Fact: there is a selfish, trouble-causing nature in every person. In positions of power, that wicked nature can mobilize in ways that hurt many other people. Don’t be ignorant of this. Don’t be terrified of them. Don’t despair when they seem to succeed in their wicked plots. Since the first human until now, including you and me, we carry the shadow tendency within each of us. May this knowledge strengthen your belief in both the need for a Savior and the reality of His existence. Human beings are truly a mess on their own.
Next, this mystery invites each of us to ponder our own shadowy places. What selfish desires are you hiding? When have you acted in ways that benefited you but hurt someone else? Where are you holding onto bitterness or grudges against someone who hurt you? In what ways do you think of yourself above someone else, casting your shadow over them? We are only different from the wicked, evil schemers in the extent to which we plot against others. The tiniest dark thought about another person is a shadow; none of us are exempt.
Then, instead of focusing on the shadows, we can recognize the light trying to reach our dark places. Where there is a shadow there is light trying to break through something. What is in the way? Our pride? Unforgiveness? Greed? Lust? Hatred? These are the obstacles in our lives where we are causing shadows. Perhaps it’s time to dissolve the barriers to the light, and watch the shadows dissipate.
As an old mom to young parents, teach your children to live in the knowledge of wickedness while seeking the shelter of the Almighty. There is danger in this world, perpetrated by dangerous people. Just as you are wise to not be naive, they should be taught wisdom about the people with whom they associate. The reality of wickedness need not bring you, or them to despair or terror, because the One who is greater can guide and protect, even through shadowy places. Keeping your children safe doesn’t mean keeping them away from people. It means teaching them awareness of danger and forming a habit of spiritual safekeeping. Teach them to hide in the shadow of the Creator’s wings, able even to sing there.
Like every human being before us, we live in a land of shadows. People lurking in those shadows are conspiring for themselves no matter the hazards to others, some of them in very powerful positions. Meanwhile, our own dark impulses of pride, greed, lust, or envy wreak havoc for those in the tiny corners of our world. Rather than living in ignorance, fear, or despair, we can turn to the light. With more light the shadows might not disappear, but they will diminish.
Do you see shadows anywhere? Look for the light! And run to the shadow of the Almighty wings where you can sing in their shelter.
Connecting with Mystery
Dear Lord of All Mystery, I confess to being troubled by the presence of those who plot evil schemes that benefit themselves but hurt others. Help me to live in awareness of shadowy wickedness but turning to You as the source of light, rather than living in dread or despair. Hide me under the shadow of Your Almighty wings, inspiring me to sing of Your goodness and protection. Thank You for being the Light of the World, and especially the light of my world. Amen.
Notes from Dr. Mac
If you want to do your own investigation of any of the scriptures I use, I suggest you go to Bible Gateway. This free online version of the Bible allows a search of words or phrases in various translations. I encourage you to meditate on Psalms 63 and 64.
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