The Shadow of Your Wings

“Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 17:8

This phrase has always boggled my mind, and quite frankly, never sat right with me.

Over this past summer, this phrase kept on surfacing in my prayer and I couldn’t seem to grasp what it meant.

How could the God of the universe be depicted as having wings?

Wings that have the power to protect?

(After all, I do consider myself to be a bird-whisperer.)

But,
This?

Why could I not seem to visualize this?

It all felt like a stretch.

—

And then one morning,

My eyes were absolutely fixed on the crucifix in morning prayer.
And IT HIT ME.

God Incarnate —
What was His posture upon that spiteful tree?

An image so familiar,
Yet often understated.

His arms spread wide,
And at this glimpse,

I saw His wings,

As depicted in early Christian art,

CHRIST JESUS - the PHOENIX who RISES from the ashes.

The only One ever known to resurrect from the dead.

So.

This striking visual left me wondering,

If he is the bird,

Where does that leave me to hide “in the shadow of His wings”?
Well,

Where else than

The foot of His cross.

—

My eyes were opened,
And I was left stunned.

The invitation has always been to find
Refuge,
Safety,
Strength,
& Embrace,

At the foot of His cross, alongside His Mother and His Beloved Apostle.

My friends,

This is where Jesus has invited us to be consoled.

I encourage you, when lost or confused,

Find yourself at the foot of the most Holy and Pure Depiction of Love,

And remember that it is here that you are held.

In the shadow of His wings.🪽