You’re Making a Mark on the World — 100% Guaranteed
A photo of camels marching across the desert appeared in my Facebook news feed the other day. An aerial photographer had taken the photo at sunset, about 10 years ago. National Geographic magazine named it one of the best photos of that particular year.
Look closely, though. There’s more to this image than you might think.
You thought the black shapes were the camels, didn’t you? But the black shapes are just the shadows. The camels are the little cream-colored lines in the photo.
The camels, facing forward, seem unaware of their own shadow, looming large beside them. And from our vantage point, it’s actually quite difficult to see the camels at all, unless you’re looking for them. That’s because our eyes are drawn to all of those majestic shadows, falling to the ground on account of a great light.
You have a shadow, friend. You are walking, face forward, in the midst of a great light. Maybe today you feel rather small and unseen, walking through a desert. But God sees something else in you.
He sees how big of a mark you’re making on your world.
From where He sits, He can see what you can’t. Trust that He has the best seat in the house. From His vantage point, God can see how your one beautiful life — small as it seems to you — fits into the bigger picture. He sees how all that you do is in the shape of who you are, and who you were created to be.
You may never know, until you get to Heaven, what a difference your life made. And when you get there, imagine what it will be like when your Father takes you by the arm and says, “Child, I have some people I want you to meet. Your life made such a difference.”
All because you stood in the light. All because you gave yourself to a cause that was bigger than yourself. All because of Jesus.
Go, friend. Walk in the light of Christ. Let your shadow fall. It’s bigger than you know.
Living PreApproved,
Jennifer
37 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- » You’re Making a Mark on the World — 100% Guaranteed - […] You’re Making a Mark on the World — 100% Guaranteed […]
- Only the Good Stuff: Multivitamins for Your Weekend [05.02.15] | A Holy Experience - […] think those are camels? Look again. […]
- exploding | born barabbas - […] was taken aerially, so the shadows are significantly larger than the camels themselves. I read Jennifer Dukes Lee’s thoughts…
- #TellHisStory: A Love Letter for A Second-Born Child | Jennifer Dukes Lee - […] dear child. It’s beautiful. Color outside the lines. Pray your quiet prayers. Remember: You’ve got a shadow that’s pretty incredible.…
Ooh! I love this!
I’m glad this message spoke to you, Susan. Thanks for dropping by.
Thanks Jennifer! So true. Recently, I’ve been more tuned in to who the Lord would have me smile at, hug, give an encouraging word to. Many are people I just met out and about, and when He directs me to them and I give what He shows, they totally receive it as from their Father. I’m just now learning about this and putting it into practice, wonder how long He’s been wanting me to do this and I didn’t hear?! Just glad to be hearing clearly now, and what a blessing to be meeting so many of God’s kids that I wouldn’t have met. Mother Teresa said, “Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” With that, the camel shadow just grew!
I love that, Laura! Thanks for sharing.
Oh Jennifer! That is so good! Thank you!
Grateful for your encouragement in the comment box, Kathie. Have a great weekend.
This is great, Jennifer. Thanks for sharing 🙂
So glad these words served your beautiful heart, my friend.
in tears and great gratitude…thank you for this post!
You are so welcome, jhp. Thanks for being here. Walk in the light. Cast that shadow. It’s grand and glorious. 🙂
This is beautiful and casts a long shadow across my soul. Thank you!
So happy that these words served your beautiful heart, Deb. xo
Love this perspective, Jennifer (though I can’t say I particularly love camels–ha!), but you’ve given me a new insight. I always think of shadows negatively….as in my shadow self, shadow mission, etc. I love the new twist, and I love you. Thanks for sharing
Are you at JT? I really, really wanted to go, but it just didn’t work out.
Love
Lynn
I tend to think of shadows negatively, too, but seeing this picture brought to mind a different perspective. It also brought to mind being in the shadow of the Almighty, as well as the verses in Acts where people brought their sick into the streets, hoping Peter’s shadow might fall across them.
Amen, Jennifer! A marvelous and inspirational message for all of us because our shadows, long and large, can touch untold lives. Blessings!
Thanks for reading, Martha!
Thank you!
You’re welcome. xo
This is a powerful message! Thank you!
Glad it spoke to you, Pam. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow. This. Is. Fantastic. You just blew my mind.
Yeah. Mine, too. That photo is a great metaphor. You cast a pretty amazing shadow, Lisa-Jo…. Keep facing forward, walking in the presence of a Great Light. Love you.
Beautiful words and amazing, positive perspective! I have a soft spot in my heart for camels . . .
So glad these words spoke to you, Michele.
Oh…my…gosh! What an awesome image! With an equally awesome message! Jennifer, I so love your heart and your words. I truly needed this. Your shadow has greatly affected my heart today. Thank you! Blessings to you! <3
You are so dear, Lynn. Thank you.
Thank you for your post. Both the words and the image are amazing! My BFF and I were talking about this subject jus the other day. She found your post and sent it to. God bless you! Keep doing good!
I’m glad this blessed you, Judy. Thanks for stopping by.
WOW! That is an amazing picture…and the message that you wrote here to go with it is just as good. It’s easy to feel small in this world…to begin to wonder if what we do makes any difference at all. Thank you for telling us that, YES, we are making a difference. Keep making a difference, my friend.
So glad these words spoke to you, Laura.
Yes, this. I’m always so grateful when God uses His creation, the seen, to teach our hearts spiritual truths we cannot see. Thank you, friend for sharing such encouraging words of truth. (And SO FUN to see this post featured on Ann’s weekend linkup. Indeed, she shares only the good stuff!) 🙂
Ann is so generous. Thanks for stopping by, Becky. xo
That was a GREAT post! Just this week, I stuck a photo on Instagram of my grandson with his shadow in front of him…
Thanks for sharing.
Shadow pics are so fun. Thanks for stopping by Daune.
One of the most powerful posts I’ve ever read, Jennifer. Tears welled up in my eyes as you began to explain the metaphor behind the image. Thank you for such profound encouragement–like an energy drink for the soul!
Wow…thanks, Jennifer 🙂
Neat photograph! But I think you read too much into it LOL. Cheesy metaphor. And this…“Child, I have some people I want you to
meet. Your life made such a difference.” Unless you have access to information that the rest of us do not, then you merely have a fertile imagination and are using that to earn a living making the down-and-outs feel better for a moment.