by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Casting a Shadow of Delight

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

Shadows change the appearance of objects. A door in blazing sun looks different when a pine tree shadow falls halfway up its length. The shadow of a baby’s nose changes the look of her cheek as it cascades gently toward her ear. The shadow of a fence descending on a trail can make the pathway look like it’s been finely embroidered.

You and I cast shadows as we sojourn toward heaven.

Sure there is a physical shadow that we cast as we pass our days, but there is a more important shadow that we cast which affects the people God has placed in our lives.

The shadow of our existence falls on people.

How we live is the shadow that we cast over people. A father caring for his infant son casts a shadow of compassion over him. The husband placing a wafer of bread soaked in wine casts a shadow of love over his dying wife. The woman giving food to a fearful and tearful mother casts a shadow of grace over her anxiety.

Our baptismal call is to cast a shadow of delight where people can taste the delicious fruit of God’s love for them.

“Like the finest apple tree in the orchard is my lover among other young men. I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit.”
Song of Solomon 2:3 New Living Translation

As we think about the effect that our lives have on others we remember that there is one shadow that has changed us for all eternity. It is the shadow of Jesus’ cross. Nothing has changed us more than his love and mercy, his forgiveness and grace. May we sit in the shadow of his cross and taste his delicious fruit.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado