Beneath the Cross of Jesus, ELW 338
Devotion
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I long to take my stand;
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land,
a home within a wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat
and burdens of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus,
my eye at times can see
the very dying form of one
who suffered there for me.
And from my contrite heart, with tears,
two wonders I confess:
the wonder of his glorious love
and my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, your shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all, the cross.
I am fearful of becoming complacent; that I might be " ... content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss." As a youth director, I oftentimes become so consumed by helping the young people I serve that I forget to feel for myself the magnitude of God's love for me.
No matter how well you know the story, take a moment to sit beneath the cross of Jesus today. Let yourself feel. Because whatever your station in life is, the story of God’s glorious love is for you and me.
Prayer
Dearest Lord, I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of your face. Amen.