It was midday in late June in rural Nicaragua and it was brutally hot. Diana and I were there on a medical mission trip. There were no sidewalks in the tiny Nicaraguan village, just a dusty road through the middle of town. I observed the villagers around us. They would take a serpentine route down the road, first on one side, then crossing the street to the other and then back again to the opposite side. The reason for this rambling course quickly became obvious. Shade. Large trees towered over the the edges of the street and the villagers walked in such a way to take full advantage of the shade. They walked briskly to a shady area, then slowed the pace down to enjoy the respite from the sun, visit briefly with friends, then walked briskly to the next bit of shade, crossing the road as needed to take full advantage of the shade as they moved down the road. Diana and I followed their lead. It wasn’t the most direct route but it was the most pleasant.
In a 21st century modern culture with its ubiquitous air conditioned houses, businesses, and vehicles, we may forget the luxury and sweet respite of the shade of trees, shadows cast by rocks and hills, or clouds of an overcast day. But the treasure of shade and shadow was not lost on the desert peoples of the Bible.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow [or shade] of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:1, NIV
When the heat of life takes its relentless toll on us, perhaps we should follow the lead of those Nicaraguan villagers and the admonition of the Psalmist and move quickly to the shade of the Almighty and hang out for a bit. Scripture reminds that this “shade” or respite from the heat of life is always close and available. He met Elijah under the broom tree. He met Ishmael under a desert bush. And He will meet you where ever you might be. His shade is as close as “your right hand” . . .
“The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand.” Psalms 121:5 NIV
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