It follows me everywhere I go
It’s empty and in it is darkness
It never goes away
It chases me no matter how hard I run
It’s always there at my side, behind me, or right in front of my eyes
It mimics everything I do
It knows everything about me
It’s me but not me
It’s in opposition to me without quarrel
It’s silent…always
Just when I think it might not be there it shows up
It can grow and often become bigger than me
But where there is darkness there must be light
What casts my shadow…?
Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.” But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power. (Romans 7:7-9)
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. (Hebrews 10:1)
These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2:17)