A few years ago, when my daughter was quite little, we played a game together outside in the sun. The object of the game was to step on the other person’s shadow. I’m sure that everyone has played something similar. The game was fun and good exercise as well. The difficulty that it presented was that when you did step on the shadow, there was no real proof that you had stepped on it. If the person whose shadow was stepped on was in motion, then the contact with the shadow would only last for a fleeting second, because the shadow was moving to catch up with its master. Other times a cloud might move over and obliterate the shadow for a moment, or the shadow might intersect with the shadow of a tree or a building and become lost.
There weren’t any disputes between us over whether or not the shadow was actually contacted, just an uncertainty of whether or not it truly happened, since it only lasted for the blink of an eye. Ultimately, it didn’t matter. The fun was in the attempting and in the making it a game between us. We were both committed to doing our best and enjoying the time together. No scores were kept and we both won.
I am reminded of this today as an example of the Christian way of life. We are often flying through our day and attempting to make the right choices and step in the right spots to hit the mark of righteousness, which God has set forth for us. Sometimes we’re moving so fast that we’re not sure if we hit it or not and other times the truth seems to get a little unclear or obliterated by the levels of light and darkness that certain issues can cast, making clear definitions a challenge.
In the final analysis, it seems that we are left to muddle our way through our days with limited levels of certainty in our abilities to step on the proper marks. There is, however, that aspect of remembering that there are others around that can and should become part of the process for each of us. It is much easier to tell if you hit the mark or not if there are others that are in your life who aspire to step on the same ground as you do. These people can be a balance to you and you can reciprocate to balance them in the proper steps to take. Together there is a little more certainty and a little more encouragement. Besides that, even if you were to miss a step or two, the greater gift is that you had people in your life to share the experience of the game of life.
God knows that we sometimes feel like walking as a Christian feels like we’re stepping on moving shadows. It is a process which carries with it, some uncertainty. The point to focus on is the desire to take good steps and the willingness to recognize that while some areas still seem grey and indiscernible, others seem clear and concise. Together we can be an asset to one another to help each other define the various shades of grey and see both the light and the dark more clearly.
Let the games continue! Blessings!

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