Lesser Lights and Fleeting Shadows

The title is a phrase from the song "Still, My Soul Be Still."  The actual line is "Do not be moved by lesser lights and fleeting shadows."  Sometimes we are satisfied with less than what the Lord offers. We miss His best because we would rather focus on what is convenient or what is begging for our attention at any given moment. Our lists of things to do are made without considering what the Lord might want because there are so many demands on us - ones that are often self-inflicted. Shame on us when impatience and the refusal to reconsider agendas cause us to settle.
Do we live with a partial understanding of the abundant life that God has planned for us simply because we won't slow down? We choose the lesser lights that do little to uncover truth.  A variety of things - schedules, deadlines, worldly desires, fears, misplaced loves (just to name a few) - may bind us to those fleeting shadows. More often than not, we are just too busy, allowing our selfish choices to steer us from righteousness.
Each of us know when we are avoiding dealing with what is in our hearts, but when the truth is less exposed, then we feel less exposed...and comfortable.  God invites us to abandon the darkness and run to Him because shadows move aside in His presence. They are no more.
Lesser lights might have some value in a dark room but if we decide to live in and embrace those shadows, we will fall prey to hidden agendas - secret attractions to every temptation that vies for attention.  Sounds awful, doesn't it?  It is...and it happens so quickly we hardly even notice until convicted by God's word and His Spirit.  When we expose ourselves to Truth - in sermons, in prayer, in Scripture, and in Godly counsel, our attraction to those lesser lights and fleeting shadows fades.

Still, My Soul Be Still

“Still my soul be still 

And do not fear  

Though winds of change may rage tomorrow 

God is at your side  

No longer dread  

The fires of unexpected sorrow 

God You are my God  

And I will trust in You and not be shaken  

Lord of peace renew  

A steadfast spirit within me  

To rest in You alone 

Still my soul be still  

Do not be moved  

By lesser lights and fleeting shadows  

Hold onto His ways  

With shield of faith  

Against temptations flaming arrows 

Still my soul be still  

Do not forsake  

The Truth you learned in the beginning  

Wait upon the Lord  

And hope will rise As stars appear when day is dimming."

— WORDS AND MUSIC BY KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY & STUART TOWNEND