AMERICA'S SHADOWS

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY, AL USA)

PROLOGUE

People who are quick to read my blogs often ask the question, “What’s going on in America?" I’m always quick to respond with my opinion. If you’re not sure of this opinion, take a few minutes to read any number of my written digests. They are based on the Christian concept of America’s patriotic foundations.

I don’t mean to pressure you, my fellow readers, but as you know, this progressive generation's liberal lifestyle keeps on coming at us from all angles. You see, according to God’s Holy Scripture, life will not get any simpler or easier. (I Timothy 4:1-2)

I’m reminded of the old-time suspenseful radio series of days gone by and that famous saying of the crime-fighting vigilante, The Shadow. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!"

If we ever needed the return of the Shadow, we surely need him now in modern day America. But he would most likely need to recruit a posse to help him, because evil is lurking everywhere these days (II Timothy 3:1-9,13) (II Timothy 4:3-4)

"Is there proof of this?" one might ask. Yes, let’s start with life’s principles, as taught in God’s holy Word, (II Timothy 3:16-17) in comparison with the reality of today’s modern liberal society. (Psalms 2:1-4)

If that’s not enough I can direct you to today’s newspaper, your television newscast, the internet, and your next-door neighbor who knows it all. Not to mention today’s modern church religious concepts. (Isaiah 5:20)

Nonetheless, I say that to say this, my soul has really been uneasy lately, especially in my bedtime dream world. Sleep has not come easy lately. Are these so-called dreams coming from a long past experience, the now, or a glimpse into the future? Or is my semiconscious now running amuck?

Whatever the cause, it has surely had its effect on this tired old preacher’s nerves lately. So here is another round of dream world reality or fiction, whatever suits your fancy. This is a modern-day parable, that of a vivid earthly story with a lively heavenly meaning. I like to title this one, “AMERICA'S SHADOWS.” How might this title fit today's America? Well stay tuned to the story.

"There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide."(Job 34:22)

It was another dreary night at home by myself. The sudden appearance of lightning and accompanying thunder overhead danced within sight through my bedroom window in full HD color with surround-sound, surely didn’t help my attempts to sleep. I had watched another liberal television nightly newscast which made it harder to relax.

I guess, by some divine action, I must have dozed off into another episode of my fantasy dream world. I found myself flying across what appeared to be a rather large river and into the middle of a bustling metropolitan city. Looking around, my first thought was, I know this place, this is a familiar governmental tourist attraction. Our college has made many civic field trips here.

There were all the age-old tourist attractions; the domed capitol, the large statue in front of the court building, the stately monument reaching upwards, the mall surrounding its reflecting pool. And oh yes, the stately large pillared mansion behind the guarded fence.

People were everywhere, tourists of all kinds, ages and descriptions, typical tourists carrying the usual brochures and cameras. They milled around as if being carried away by the many historic attractions.

Occasionally, there were a few small groups of sign-carrying political activists marching here and there, peacefully transmitting their beliefs by way of graphic posters.

Mixed in with the tourists were many governmental dignitaries. For whatever the reason, the government must have been in an official session.

What was really strange, and the center attraction of my dream, were the many shadows. Shadows of real people. Shadows with a direct intention and purpose. Each carrying all the necessary equipment needed for an investigative assignment; things like cameras, cell phones, note pads, and the like. They were slipping in and out, around the many official government gatherings totally unseen.

Again, what was so strange was these shadows were not interested in the many tourists, only the apparent governmental authorities. They were hard at work, gathering and documenting facts. Some seemed to be out in the open, while others were in hiding in their own shadows, as they snooped around.

I didn’t understand the shadows' intense interest in the various portable news setups, there to cover the various governmental business sessions. It was as if these shadows seemed to really not trust the news reporting.

Then it happened, as many of my past dreams often did, it was all over just when it began to get interesting. The actors and scene suddenly disappeared and I was back home, lying in my bed watching the nightly news cast. My midnight snack was still intact awaiting my taste buds.

What’s this on the television? Is this not the same metropolis of my dream, this famous capitol city of the world’s governmental affairs? How did I miss all this action? The crowd, the reporters, what’s it all about? Looks like some reporter has spilled the beans.

Well, this is really big news; a real live crime fighter him coming out of the shadows like he did, giving out the facts as he did, and I missed it all. Well, maybe I didn’t. Just maybe the shadows did their jobs. Amen!

EPILOGUE

As I awake in the morning, and tune in the overnight news, I can’t help but ask, “How long Lord, how long will this go on?”

Then, the answer is found in (Romans 12:1-2). It’s all a matter of choice, America. A choice between two words: conformed or transformed. Are you being conformed to this present socialistic world or being transformed to the principles of God’s holy Word?

In other words, according to Dr. Charles Ryrie, do not live according to the style or manner of this present age, but live as if the new age had already arrived. (I Peter 1:14-26)

Keeping the gist of this blog in memory, do you now remember that oldies weekly crime fighting radio series, The Shadow? If not, then just ask your Pa-Paw, he’d be glad to brag a bit boosting his memory.

I remember we kids would all gather weekly around my homemade crystal radio set, in an effort to help him fight crime. We just couldn’t wait for his famous intro quote, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" followed by that infamous laugh. I even sent off the required three cereal box tops and a quarter to get my own personal The Shadow crime fighting ring.

Who really was this famous crime fighting character?

According to internet tradition, The Shadow possessed incredible physical abilities. He possessed astonishing reflexes. He could distort and alter his very facial features at will by manipulating his facial muscles. He could also survive for hours without air. He was regarded as highly experienced in various disciplines of hand-to-hand combat as well.
His greatest power was his ability to “cloud men’s minds”. He could hypnotize people instantly so that he could move as an invisible shadow. He could force a criminal to write a detailed account of his past crimes. He was an expert in many different languages and is also a master ventriloquist and was a master of disguise. .
The Shadow was apparently an expert aircraft pilot and skilled in infiltration and information gathering techniques due to his experience fighting crime.

In conclusion, The Shadow’s most famous parting slogan, "The weed of crime bears bitter fruit - Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows!" If only today’s America would remember and abide by this same slogan, what a country we would have. Amen!