by Rev Douglas Brauner

We are the focus of God’s love.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 5:8 New Living Translation

I’ve kept my old film negatives in a desk drawer in my office. Maybe yours are in old shoe boxes, or if you’re really organized they’re in protective sleeves and three ring binders. I keep thinking I will do that one day, probably when I retire, then again probably not.

Hubbard Glacier

I’ve been electronically scanning these pictures as I return to my photographic roots (a roll of film is drying in my bathroom as I pound the keyboard for this blog). Since I couldn’t make out the pictures on the negative strip with the naked eye, I was excited to see this image when the photo popped up on my computer monitor.

We were heading into Hubbard Glacier in Alaska. It was cold and windy and yet astonishingly beautiful. I believe that I took around thirty pictures of our cruise into Hubbard Glacier. I took only two pictures that included people and this is my second favorite (I also took one of Janice, and it’s probably my all time favorite photo of her).

In the midst of the wonder of God’s creation, I find this picture speaking to my heart about what really matters to God. What matters most to him are the people that he has created, the same people for whom Christ died.

As you look at this picture you’ll notice people doing different things. Some are looking one way, and some another. Some are engaged in conversation, others in silence. Some are dressed in heavy layers while others, like that bald man in the middle, appear clothed for a cool spring day.

Each one of these people reveal the majesty of God’s creation. Each one of these people reveal the power of Christ’s cross. “While we were still sinners,” Christ gave everything for us. We, not creation, are the ultimate focus of God’s saving love.

You are the focus of his love.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado