THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS
A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an
Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from
his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid
much attention to his friend’s sermons, but he heard them often.
One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended.
The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the
moon was bright there was plenty of light to practise by. The young
man climbed up to the highest diving board, and as he turned his back
to the pool on the edge of the board, and extended his arms out, he
saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body in the shape of
a cross. Instead of diving, he knelt down and asked God to come into
his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and
turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs.
- Author Unknown
I chose this story, because I remember how powerfully
it hit me the first time I ever heard it. As a Christian, it isn't always
easy to strike the balance between talking to people about God or our
faith, and "preaching" to them all the time. In this story,
if it wasn't for the divers friend, we can all imagine the outcome if
he hadn't seen his shadow in the shape of the cross. I know that when
we talk to our friends, colleagues, neighbours, or whoever it may be
about our beliefs, it won't always have such an impact as in this story,
but who knows!!!
Deacon David Roberts (Warrington Branch)
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