LIVING IN THE SHADOW

On February 2nd, Phil the groundhog comes out of his burrow in Punxsutawney, PA, in front of thousands of people from all over the world, to predict the weather for the rest of the winter. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

I have gotten to where I enjoy winter. I like driving and hiking in the mountains during winter when the leaves are off the trees, and you can see such grand vistas. Yet I will be ready for spring, even if by then we have not had a real good snow that I would so much enjoy.

Nevertheless, living in the shadow of winter can be a safe and secure place if you are sheltered. I like the way the Psalmist describes living in the shadow of God.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"

"Because he has loved Me,” says the Lord, “therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation." (Psalms 91:1-2; 14-16)

One of my very favorite movies is Shadowlands. The lead character is C.S. Lewis, the famous English writer and professor. In conversation with one of his students Lewis says, “We live in the shadowlands. The sun is always shining somewhere else ... around a bend in the road ... over the brow of a hill.” 

Shadowlands is based on a true story. C.S. (Jack) Lewis meets Joy Gresham, an American poet. They develop a friendship that evolves into a most unusual marriage. Their wedding ceremony takes place in a hospital room, as Joy lies in a bed suffering with cancer.

In the final days of her life, they drive to the countryside to a place called Golden Valley. In childhood the beautiful view gave Lewis an image of how he thought heaven might look.

In this beautiful and serene setting C.S Lewis did not want to talk about the approaching death of Joy. He declares, “We shouldn't think about that now. Let's not spoil the time we have.”

Joy responds, “It doesn't spoil it. It makes it real. The pain then is part of the happiness now.” Later as Joy lies dying in her bed at home she reminds Lewis of another of his statements, “Real life hasn’t begun yet.”

At the end of the movie the widower Lewis walks through the valley with Joy’s son as the shadows of clouds move over the field.

For me, whether I am hiking in majestic mountains, gazing at a gorgeous beach sunset, or playing with the delight of my grandchildren, I am reminded that life now is only a foretaste of glory divine.

Below is a compilation of some of these great scenes from Shadowlands.