Three people just walking down the street in the morning; nothing special. They probably are just talking to one another as usual as they go down the street together. But look look at their shadows; how long they are. Our lives are like that you know; we affect others without even realizing it; we change their lives. I thought of a passage in 1st Corinthians when I saw this picture; see if it makes sense to you.1Co 1:10 Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1Co 1:11 For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.
1Co 1:12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," and, "I follow Christ."
1Co 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?
1Co 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius,
1Co 1:15 so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name.
1Co 1:16 (I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don't know whether I baptized any other.)
1Co 1:11 For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.
1Co 1:12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," and, "I follow Christ."
1Co 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?
1Co 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius,
1Co 1:15 so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name.
1Co 1:16 (I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don't know whether I baptized any other.)
World English Bible
The Corinthian church was a worldly lot, filled with many, many problems. Paul had spent some time with them and undoubtedly made a number of converts to the faith, but had done so much work that he didn't realize what he had done (vs 16). Our lives are like that too, we live day by day and really don't remember all we did last week; we affect the lives of others in ways that we probably don't even realize. This past week I had a birthday and what a birthday it was! I received many gifts, one even today from a good friend at work. However, the one that I think I will always remember was a simple yet important gift; a package of prunes from two of my grandchildren. Odd gift, right? Well, not at all. Some time ago I was doing a little bit of grandpa duty (babysitting) and we were all watching a movie; I was joking with the kids about the main character needing to lighten up a little and take some prunes. As time when on, I kept up the prune jokes. The kids loved it and couldn't stop laughing and so the prunes were a joke, but more than a joke, it meant they really listened. Without even realizing it, I had made an impression on them that lasted. I will never quite look at shadows and prunes the same ever again.