Christ Our Shepherd Lenten Devotion Series 2023
Possibilities: Connecting with the Creation
March 17, 2023
Today’s devotional was shared but not written by Ingrid Hudson, our Director of Children’s Ministries.
How often do you sit outside and turn your face towards the sun? Oh, how good that warmth feels! I love when I call my Mom in the middle of winter (my parents live in Ohio). Sometimes when I ask her what she is doing, she replies “I am sitting by the back window with my face towards the sun pretending to be at the beach 🙂”. There really is something about keeping our face towards the light that can truly change us. I found this devotion several years ago, written by Reverend Wendell Mettey. It spoke to me, and I hope it speaks to you on your Lenten journey.
–Ingrid
A Walk in the Sunlight
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night; and your God will be your glory. (Isaiah 60: 1,19)
I was walking in the bright sunshine the other day and I considered my shadow. When I walked away from the sun my shadow went before me, but when I walked toward the sun my shadow followed me. My shadow was always there, but the direction I walked determined where it fell.
CONSIDER how we all have our burdens and no matter what we do, believe, or think, they are there and tag along like shadows on a sunny day. But the direction in which we walk does make a difference. If we walk away from God, the source of all light, our burdens run before us. They darken our path and hide the fact that bright, radiant, life-giving sunshine abounds all around us. Now, if we walk toward God, our burdens follow us, and our path is illuminated. Our burdens are not only behind us, but everything looks bright.
Yes, we all have our burdens, but how they affect our lives is up to us and our relationship to God. With God we can put our burdens behind us if we walk toward Him.
May our life be, Oh Lord, a constant walk in Your direction. May we know the life-giving sunlight which comes from only You. Keep us from walking in our own shadow and direct us so that we may put our shadow behind us. Amen.
Rev. Wendell Mettey
Revised 10/25/2013
Enjoy this song that goes with today’s topic.
