The shadow of the cross

I came across this while reading an inspirational stories book! The author is unkown but this story is an amazing one of the power and aweomsenss of God!!!

While taking a class in photography at the University of Cincinnati a Christian became acquainted with a young man names Charles Murray who also was a student at the school and training for the summer olympics as a high diver.

Charles was very patient, listening to him for hours about how Jesus had saved him. Charles was not raised in a home that attended any kind of chruch, so all that was told to him was a fascination. He even began to ask questions about the forgiveness of sins.

Finally the day came that the question was put to him, "have you realised your need of a redeemer, and are you ready to trust Christ as you saviour?" His countenance fell and the guilt was in his face. But his reply was a strong "No."

In the days that followed, he was quiet and often avoided the believer until one day Charles decided to call him. He wanted to know where to look in the New Testament for some verses about salvation! He declined to meet but thanked the christian for the Scripture references. he was greatly troubled but was not ready to receive help.

Because he was trainging for the Olympic games, Charles had special priveleges at the University pool facilities. Some time between 10:30 and 11:00 that evening, he decided to go swim and practise a few dives. It was a clear night in OCtober and the moon was big and bright. The university pool was housed under a ceiling of glass panes, so the moon shone bright across the top of the wall in the pool area.

Charles climbed to the highest platform to take his first dive. At that moment the Spirit of God began to convict him of his sins. All the scripture he had read, all the occasions of witnessing to him about Christ flooded his mind.

He stood on the platform backwards to make his dive, spread his arms to gather his balance, looked up to the wall and saw his own shadow, caused by the light of the moon. It was in the shape of a cross. He could bear the burden of his sins no longer, HIs heart broke, and he sat down on the platform. He trusted Jesus Christ some twenty-some feet in the air.

Suddenly the lights in the pool area came on. The attendant had come in to check the pool. As Charles looked down from his platform he saw an empty pool, which had been drained for repairs. He had almost plummeted to his death, but the cross has stopped him from disaster.