When listening to a Bill Johnson sermon (Challenge of Promotion), there was a certain part that just grabbed at my heart and Spirit. Here it goes . . .
Acts 5:15
“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.”
Now at this time in Acts, the church has gone through hardships and persecution for at least a couple years. The church needs opposition because it is through that opposition that promotion comes. And how we handle that opposition determines the promotion that is coming our way. And the church here in Acts was promoted beyond anything I think we can imagine. They handled their opposition in a way that glorified God and made people respect them (can we even say that about us- about the hardships we go through which are no where near the persecution that was being thrown at the Acts church?).
So because of this opposition, it lead to respect. Now here is the part that just sings to me.
But this is the part I want you all to get! Peter’s shadow healed people- his shadow! God’s presence (that promotion) was so heavy on Peter and that church in Acts that even Peter’s shadow could heal someone!
What would it be like to have so much of God’s presence in your life and over you that even your shadow (Your Shadow!!) could heal people???
Your shadow will always release what is overshadowing you. If God is not that overshadowing presence in your life than something else is. What is your shadow giving off?
What you give attention to is what you will be able to release. If fear, or some burden, or even someone is your shadow that that is exactly what you will release to those around you. If fear (of failure, of comparison, of regret, of anything) is your shadow, than that is exactly what you will release to those you are coming in contact with.
Let nothing bigger than your awareness of God’s presence in your life! This is Kingdom Living! To have God’s presence so thick on us that everything around us is changed- even by us just walking by. People can see God’s presence on our lives and it does have the power to change everyone we come in contact with.
So what is the overshadow in your life? If it is not God, than what is it?
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
Psalm 34:4-5
