So, it's 2:10 am, and I'm still awake. It's the type of awake where your body is so tired, but your brain is running a mile a minute so you try to close your eyes only to realize 5 minutes later that you've been staring wide-eyed into nothingness. And when you go to blink you can actually hear your eyelashes flutter against your eyelid. It's that quiet. I'm sitting here at my cousins apartment on the couch on which I should be sleeping. But instead I am sitting here, legs crossed like its a quiet afternoon and I'm reading a book or knitting a sweater.
Maybe it's because it's the weekend. Or maybe it's the three cups of coffee I had today. Or maybe it's the frozen yogurt and candy we had while watching Mulan. Or maybe it's the feeling of wanting to accomplish something big, a feeling that we got while listening to Donny Osmond belt out what is one of the greatest Disney songs "I'll Make a Man Out of You". I just wanted to join a karate class in that instance and climb a mountain for the heck of it, all at the same time! Or maybe God wants to speak to me... What better way to pass time than to be in His Word. And when I'm just going to the Word to be in it, I like to go to the Psalms.
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. (Psalm 23:1-6 ESV)
Haha this is the Psalm I turned to! A well known one even for people who aren't Christians.
What are some things I can learn about the Lord from this?
Well, first of all, He is my shepherd! Even by a worldly definition, a shepherd is one who leads, guards, guide a group or flock. Let's apply these terms in light of a perfect, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent and good God, shall we?
Leads
The Lord is the director of my path, he sees my coming and my going and has an account for every step I have taken, take and will take. Even referring back to the passage he leads me by still waters, he makes me to lie down! He gives me rest. He leads me in paths of righteousness. He would not lead me in ways of the wicked.
Guards
He protects me! Even when I think life may be going awry, he is guarding me. Even though I walk through the shadow of the valley or death, I fear no evil! What can touch me while in His hand? What can destroy me it not of the Fathers will?
Guides
Similar to leads but not necessarily the same. It's an active step by step approach to the here and now. He is willing and able to help me in my time of need. My purpose is to follow him in obedience and accept that his purpose for me is for my best. You prepare a table for me, my cup overflows! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!
I mean what?! How great is God in the simple fact that he is my loving shepherd?!
Loving that he kept me up for this :)
Anyway, gonna try and sleep now.
Love always,
Christi a
