A Devotional by Dr. Dan Ivins

Peter’s Shadow
Acts 5:12-26

There’s a certain mystery about shadows. Reflecting a dark likeness of ourselves onto some backdrop, giving off a distorted resemblance of reality. We find Peter’s shadow accomplishing something very wonderful.

When you realize it is Peter’s shadow, it is a surprise. How on earth did he come to possess that kind of influence? You could call it magic, but Peter was close to Jesus. So folks hung out around the big fisherman, now living under the power of the Spirit, so that he might get between them and the sun, and his healing shadow might make them well.

I wonder if it can happen today? Hanging around church ought to be good for folks and some research has demonstrated this to be true. But this story says at least this: a person’s influence for good is in direct proportion to your own dedication to God. If we would be healers of persons, then stay close to God.

We’ve all been around people who make us feel better, and some who make us feel worse. People who radiate confidence and genuineness, whose caring is real and whose faith is vital, such people have a healing shadow.

Who are they? People who are close to God, coupled with compassion for the suffering, and a meaningful involvement with the faith community. Such people become like Peter, channels of God’s spiritual energy. God bless them!

“Prayer for the day” Lord, bless all who strive to be healers of other people’s hurts. Bless all in need of healing and may these prayer energies go toward their wholeness.