You’ve all heard the stories about how birth rank affects a child. As the youngest, I believe it’s true to some extent because you have siblings who’ve charted the course. In my family, it was not a defining factor because my parents never demonstrated favoritism but loved us equally and focused on our individual gifts and talents. Not so true in the classroom. My older sister set the pace because she was smart, pretty, and popular.
I remember sitting in the classrooms of several high school teachers as they called roll on the first day of school. They’d state my name, look around the room to locate me, and ask the famous question, “Are you Terri Pulliam’s sister?” They’d then smile and remark, “I loved your sister.” From that moment on I was living in the shadow of my big sis. I didn’t mind in the least because I loved her and thought she was awesome. Besides, her name oftentimes earned me bonus points before the year began.
In my adult life it has happened a time or two but in a different scenario. Pam Kanaly and I co-founded Arise Single Moms. As we defined our roles and grew the ministry, many people associated the ministry with Pam because she does more of her work in the public eye. My role focuses on behind the scenes planning, details, and logistics. I will never forget assisting Pam at one of her speaking engagements and an attendee looked at me and said, “You are so lucky to have Pam Kanaly for a friend.” I smiled and agreed with her because I adore Pam. But in my mind I was thinking, “She’s blessed to have ME for a friend.” I laughed and continued on my way. In the times I live in Pam’s shadow, I’m not offended because she’s amazing and God assigns our role—and I’m perfectly happy with mine.
These are just two examples of how I’ve lived in a shadow, but you want to know the most prevalent one? It’s the same for all believers. We all reside in the shadow of the cross. Christ’s death gave us life. His sacrifice silhouettes our existence 24-7, 365 days, from birth to death, in each situation, every place we travel, in the midst of our relationships. The shadow of the cross looms over us everywhere. It’s a seal, a protector, a rescuer, a restorer.
Each of us should thrive in that shadow. The light reflects through Christ, and we reside under his canopy. Our goal includes following, emulating, and modeling the person who created that shelter. All the attention and glory belongs to him. We live in the shadow of the cross and that should make all the difference.
They shall dwell beneath my shadow, they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine. —Hosea 14:7 (ESV)
