The Shade of Christ

By Cheri Cowell –

On my desk I have one of those flip-card-daily-saying things. I love flipping through it from time to time and am amazed at how many sayings I now incorporate into my conversations. I do not do a good job, however, of looking at it daily. It is not a priority. But, because I’ve used it intermittingly, its sayings have been planted in my mind. Growing up in Sunday school, being in church all of my life, and being involved in Bible study, prayer, and worship every week have had that same cumulative effect on me. My conversations and thoughts are infused with the things of God. The psalmist calls this being “like a tree planted by streams of water” (Psalm 1:3 NIV). What a beautiful image that is for us to carry as we struggle to make God a part of everything we do.

The “law” in this scripture reference does not refer to a legal code but rather to the guidance and instruction of God. The psalmist uses the metaphor of a tree as it symbolized abundant prosperity, productivity, usefulness, and the strength to endure hardships when planted near the living water of the Holy Spirit. The message is clear—like my flip-card sayings, planting God’s Word in your mind will yield deep roots of faith.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3 NIV).

PRAYER: Thank You, God, for Your laws that are a delight to meditate on day and night, and for providing the Living Water that nourishes my spirit. Help me find ways to infuse my conversations and thoughts with more and more of You so my branches may reach others with the shade of Christ.