Shade PLEASE!!!

After spending some time outside, a friend exclaimed, "Whew, it's soooo much better in the shade!!!" Indeed it is!!!! Nothing breaks the scorching glares of the sun than a good ole block of shade. Facing this intense ball of fire we call the Sun, which thankfully happens to be millions of miles away and yet, even with sunglasses on, sunblock and a hat, will burn you! Oh, the comfort of turning the corner of a building or even the shadow of a large oak tree brings instant relief from the heat-attack (which nearly leads to heat-strokes!!) Water, Water, Water people!!! 

These words of hers echoed in my head all day, with what I now know was an affirming of a lesson God was teaching me. As many of you know, my husband and I took a weekend trip and our ride on this little prop plane that delivered us to our destination was...interesting. We had the front 2 "lucky" seats which happened to face the rear of the plane!! Just one of His humors and many a little tests...

1. Being in front of people looking at you and not feeling overwhelmed....check.
2. Being calm on a little prop plane AND sitting by the exit door AND facing 100 people...check.
3. Staring at the fast spinning, metal propeller literally right out MY window, since I was facing backwards...check.


Now that all anxiety and panic attacks have been confirmed demolished in Jesus Name....AMEN!!!!!!, another lesson....


As we landed, the Holy Spirit drew my attention to the shadow created by the wing of the plane as we made our way to the gate. Depending on the direction of the wing and the sun above, the shadow would fluctuate under the wings as it casted it's shadow on the ground beneath. It would sometimes be to the left, front, back, directly under and even big and small...as the wings moved, the shadow moved. 

"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by." Psalms 57:1

Shadows are not possible without the "Son." The Holy Spirit is the Wing that move us, shape us, and shield us. And the shade is God, our Rest, Refuge, Relief and Rescue. 

So the question is, when we are being "attacked" and things are "heating up" against us, where do we find these shadows and how do we stay in it as it moves once we find it? We must intentionally align ourselves under the Wings that lend us this Rescue and Refuge we so desperately need. As the wings above us move, so we too must move in alignment. That requires being intentional and clear-minded, willing and submissive, moveable yet not scattered, eyes that see and ears that hear the direction of the Holy Spirit. And for Goodness sake, if you just cannot seem to find some shade, ASK!!! Do not let pride or fear burn you, cuz it will!!! If you are lost or already overcome, call out for help!!! God will you rescue!! There is no fire He cannot extinguish! The Lord is our only Consuming Fire, amen!!!!!

Do you feel like you are being burned alive? At one time or another, we all get a little burned. We all go through difficult desert-like seasons where it's especially hot. Eventhough the shadow is always there, it may be small so that "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison," II Corinthians 4:17. While other times, our thirsts are satisfied fully as we fill ourselves with the Living Water and rest in Him."On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:37-39

 " The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!" Ruth 2:12 

Be intentional: dive deep in the Word of God who Provides and Protects with Purpose, trusting Him to keep His promises, never leaving or forsaking you, growing you into His perfect design for you. Do not be overwhelmed or afraid when the heat is turned up! Gear up with the right armor and find your shade under the Wings of a Mighty and Faithful God!!!