When the Shadows Overtake

There’s a special kind of crazy that wakes up before the sun…and on this particular morning, I seemed to have it. I laced up my shoes and stepped out into the pre-dawn darkness feeling strangely proud of myself for being awake, upright, and semi-functional before sunrise. The streets were still. The sky was sleepy. Even the neighborhood ducks looked at me as if to say, “Mate…go back to bed.”

But off I went—running, praying, inhaling the cool air, and hoping my knees would remain on speaking terms with me.

A few minutes in, it happened.
I didn’t hear anything…
but I felt something.
A presence—close.
Keeping pace.
Right beside me.

It was the kind of moment where your brain whispers, “This is it. This is how my story ends. Ambushed by a 5am cardio ninja.” My heart rate spiked—and not because of fitness. I braced myself, ready to negotiate peace if needed. (I had no wallet, but I did have a granola bar I was willing to surrender.)

Then I ran under a streetlamp… and everything changed.

As soon as the light shifted behind me, a long, tall, looming figure suddenly rushed ahead—overtaking me with impressive form and speed. I gasped.

And then I realized…
It was my shadow.

The streetlight had taken what was behind me and stretched it out in front of me—larger than life, leading the way, dictating the direction of my run.

I slowed down and laughed in the middle of the empty sidewalk. The “presence” I felt wasn’t danger—it was simply a shadow catching me as the light repositioned.

But in that simple, slightly embarrassing moment, God spoke a gentle truth to my heart:
When the Light is behind us rather than before us,
our shadows get in front and start leading our lives.

We all have shadows:
• fears and insecurities
• old habits and heavy regrets
• lies we’ve believed about ourselves or others

When we drift from the Light of Christ—even unintentionally—those shadows grow. They begin to lead us, influence us, and sometimes intimidate us. And if we aren’t careful, we start following the very things God wants to free us from.

But when we run toward the Light—when Jesus is the One leading us—the shadows fall behind where they belong.

Jesus said:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” — John 8:12

And Scripture invites us:

“Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” — Isaiah 2:5

When Jesus is in front—guiding our steps, shaping our priorities, illuminating our path—darkness loses its influence. It doesn’t disappear, but it no longer directs us.

Shadows are real… but they are not the truth.
They are evidence of light—but never a substitute for it.

Perhaps today is a good day to pause and ask:

• Is Jesus still in front of me, leading the way…
  or have I placed Him behind me and allowed shadows to set the pace?
• Am I running toward the Light, or just far enough to admire it from a distance?
• What shadow needs to return to its rightful place behind me today?

At Church Together, we remind each other that faith is not a solo run. We run toward the Light together—so that no one is left chasing shadows alone. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, may our shadows shrink, our steps steady, and our hearts grow bright with hope.

The Moral of the Morning Run
Keep the Light in front of you.
Let Jesus lead.
And the shadows… they’ll fall in line behind you.