Coming next week

The Blessing

of

Weakness 

230322

The Shadows We Cast

‘Everyone of us casts a Shadow’

   There hangs about all of us a sort of ‘Penumbra’*, a strange indefinable something, which we call personal influence. It has it’s effect upon other lives upon which it falls. It goes with us where ever we go. This is not something we can have whether we want to have it or not. Then lay it aside at will, just as we lay aside a garment. It is though something that pours out from our life, like a light from a lamp, Like heat from a flame, like perfume from a flower.

*What is the definition of Penumbra?:~ It’s the partial shadow

brī or Penumbras:~ the partial shadow surrounding a

perfect shadow (as in an eclipse)

Penumbral:~ the partially shaded outer region of the shadow

cast by an opaque object.

The ministry of personal influence is something very wonderful. Without being conscious of it we are always impressing others by this strange power that goes out from us . . .
Jeremiah 15:19 “If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!”
… others watch us, and their actions are modified by ours. Many a life has been started on a career of a beauty & blessing by the influence of a noble act. The disciples saw the Master praying, and were so impressed by His earnestness, and by the radiancy/shine on His face, as He communed with His Father, that when He joined them again they asked him to teach them how pray. Every true soul is impressed continually by the glimpses ~ of a Loveliness ~ of a Holiness ~ of nobleness in others. One kind deed often inspires many kindnesses.

   The following is from an old news paper excerpt (from some years ago), that I read of. . .

A newspaper boy boarded a train carriage, and slipped

himself into a seat and soon fell asleep. Two young ladiescame into the carriage and sat opposite him. They saw hehad no shoes, his clothes were in tatters, and his face wasvery drawn in, showing the ravages of hunger and suffering.As they looked closer at him, they saw his cheek hadrested on the hard window sill, one of the ladies lent overhim and softly lifted his head and slipped her scarf underhis head as a pillow.

The kind act was observed and now marked it’s influence.An old gentleman in the opposite seat, without word, held outa silver quarter to the young lady, nodding toward the boy. After a moments hesitation she took it, and as she did so another man handed a dime. A woman across the isle held out some pennies, and almost before the young lady knew it, shewas taking a collection, as everyone in the rail car was passingher something for the boy. Thus from the young woman’sgentle little act had gone out a wave of influence touchingthe hearts of the people and leading of them to do something.

   Our lives are full such illustrations of influence of kindly deeds. Every good life, leaves in the World a two fold ministry. . . 

1. That of the things it does directly to bless others .. 
2. That of the silent influence it exerts, through which others are made better, or, inspired to do good things.

Psalms 112:9 “They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honour”
… always keep in mind that you are not the one being negatively influenced.
[NLT] 3 John 1:11 “Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children”

   Influence is something too, which even death does not end. When our Earthly life closes, a good man’s work never ceases. He is missed in the places where his familiar presence has brought benedictions*. . .
[NLT] Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance ”
… No more are his words heard by those who had often been cheered or comforted by them. No more do his benedictions find their way to homes of need where so many times they have brought relief. No more does his gentle friendship minister strength or hope or courage to hearts that have learned to love him. The death of a good man in the midst of his usefulness cuts off a blessed ministry of helpfulness in the circle which he has dwelt. But his influence continues. A man by the name of Longfellow once wrote this poem . . .

A like are life and death

When life to death survives

and the uninterrupted breath

inspires a thousand lives.

Was a star quenched on high

for ages would it’s light

still travelling downward from the sky

shine on our mortal sight

So when a great man dies

for years beyond our kin

the light he leaves behind him lies

upon the paths of men.

   The influence the dead have over us living, is often very great. We may think we lost them, when we see their faces NO more, nor hear their voices, nor receive their accustomed kindnesses at their hands. But, in many cases there is no doubt that what our loved ones do for us after they have gone is quite as important as what they could have done for us, had they stayed with us.
   The memory of their beautiful lives can be a tonic to us, softened and more rich and impressive by their sorrowful passing. The influence of such sacred memories is in a certain sense more tender than that of life itself. Death transforms our loved ones as it were, sweeping the faults and blemishes of their lives, leaving us a more favourable memory in which all that was beautiful ~ pure & true in what remains with us.
Psalms 145:7 “Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness”

   We often loose our loved ones too early, caused by the pressures of our Earthly lives. It was once the Cardinal Newman* (see end of this sermon for details to whom he was and when he lived) who said . . .

“He lives to us who dies, he but lost who lives”

… thus even to death does not quench the influence of a good life. It continues to bless others long after the life has passed from this World. Take for instance A celebrity that has just passed on, called ‘Paul O’Grady’, Whilst not agreeing to his life style, ie he was gay, and became a famous being a drag-queen, later put away his act and was known just as himself. Has become known for the work he did for rescuing animals, mostly dogs and worked closely with ‘Battersea dog home’ :- https://www.battersea.org.uk/ He has left such a legacy that is going to be felt there and other dog shelters, for many many years to come.

   I came across this poem in an old book I have, it’s sad that it has no name attached to it, but here it is . . .

“They quietly leave us, who have passed

through the shadows of death to the Sun light above,

A thousand sweet memories are holding them fast

To the places the blessed with their presence & love.”

“The work which they left, and the books they read

peak mutely though still with an eloquence rare,

And the songs they sung, and dear words they have said

Yet linger and sigh on the desolate air.”

And often alone when done, and often in the throng

Or when evil allures us, or sin draweth nigh

A whisper comes gently, nay, do not the wrong

And we feel our weakness is pitted on high.”

… we need to guard our influence with the utmost care. It must be remembered that not all influences are for good. Just as your good deeds will live on in the hearts of others, so will our evil deeds. It is a crime to fling an infected garment into the street, covered with all kinds of contagion, thus contaminating one coming in close contact with it. Remember your words have the same effect!

   Those who that prepare & publish vile literature, which today with social media as it is, means it goes everywhere around the globe, polluting and defiling lives who see it. The Labour Party have put up, and holding, ‘Rishi Sunak’ solely responsible for certain things. When Sunak has not held the office, of UK Prime Minister, long enough, for these things were done a couple of months back. But long after Mr Sunak has retired these posters will still haunt him. This the power of words, as the old saying goes .. ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’.. If we would make our lives worthy of God and a blessing to the World, we must see to it that nothing we do shall influence others, for the bad, in the slightest long after we are gone.
   We need to keep watch over our words and deeds, for not only in their intent & purpose, but also in their possible influence upon others. There may be liberties which hold no danger, but others who have a less stable character and less helpful surroundings would be full of peril. We may not do anything in our own strength which might possibly harm others. This is the teaching of Paul in his words ..
Romans 14:20-22 “ Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong is to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God”
   In summing up then, how can we make sure of an influence that shall be only a benediction? Sadly in today’s society there is no way, but by living and making your life good & pure. Just in the measure that we are filled with the Spirit of God and have the love of Christ in us, and let the influence be Holy and a blessing unto the World.
Ephesians 4:14 “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth!”

We all have those who would look up to us, even take their lead from us. So, Next time we go to run someone down, directly or not, STOP take a breath. Next time your in an argument, before we go to say something which we regret, STOP, take a breath. Next time your driving and someone badly cuts you off, coming close to having an accident, don’t return bad driving with more bad driving, STOP, take breath. Are you starting to get it? Just say thank you Jesus and give Him praise.

*About:~ John Henry Newman
Description John Henry Newman CO was an English theologian, academic, intellectual, philosopher, polymath, historian, writer, scholar and poet, first as an Anglican priest and later as a Catholic priest and cardinal, who was an important and controversial figure in the religious history of England in the 19th century.
Born: 21 February 1801, London
Died: 11 August 1890, Edgbaston, Birmingham


Prayer
Heavenly Father, while we stumble around like children, may our words be of good cheer to you and those who hear them, even long after we have left our moral shells. Let our influences carry on till your coming. Let your light shine for all to see, chasing all darknesses away. Let be Christ Jesus behind me and in front me influencing all illuminated.