“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.”
These words from Psalm 23 seem so soothing and comforting – and easy - at first look. But what I’ve been learning recently is that those verbs – MAKES – LEADS – RESTORES – these are action verbs. God is doing something here.
And it’s not comfortable.
He’s making me lie down. Our family has been sick with no longer than a few days break since December 30. He has made me stop all the things I thought I’d do or wanted to do to care for my family and focus on the essentials.
But in green pastures – I can’t speak for everyone reading this, but for my family, we are in a comfortable home with clean water, electricity, internet, and food. We have a support system and we know that as part of Willowdale Chapel, if we have needs, we will be provided for abundantly by this community. We are in green pastures.
He leads me. Let’s be honest, this is a scary time in our world. The coronavirus pandemic is unknown territory and we’re walking in the dark a bit. He’s leading us even there, friends. He knows the way. Scratch that – he IS the way.
And it is beside still waters. Ever heard the old proverb “still waters run deep?” While Christ may lead us with what seems like not enough urgency or not enough disruption, or not enough healing, underneath, in the depths there are currents that are flowing. “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” proclaims Romans 11:33. God leads us to come alongside him and partake in the depth of wisdom and knowledge of him. For all the things we can’t explain, we trust that the undercurrents of his wisdom surpass our lack of understanding.
He restores. How many dozens of HGTV shows have I watched where people restore an old house? It is not peaceful, calming work. It breaks. It tears down. It exposes. Only then can the beauty return, the strength be rebuilt.
And he does this to our soul. The core of who we are is broken and then made better and more beautiful by God himself. Our eternal nature is brought back to its original purpose through his restoration. And once restored, we are the “big reveal” to the world, much like those houses on HGTV are a testimony to the restoration that has been done to them. They can’t help but show themselves to anyone in their view. So should we be.
These next few weeks will be scary. God is not threatened by scary things. Let’s take hold of that wisdom to which he gives us access and protect our community by physically being distant, but let’s also submit to God as he is the one who brings us to and through a time such as this. As much as we can, let’s be the humble instruments to point people to our Psalm 23 Shepherd.
For His is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen!
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
ABOUT THE BLOGGER
Originally from Georgia, Mary Beth is a lover of sweet tea, a proud Georgia Bulldog and an avid music fan. She works in public relations, running her own communications consulting business from home. Mary Beth and her husband, Stephen, have two sons who are both toddlers. She is currently the editor of our Willowdale Women blogs.
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