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Big Questions

With You in the Mess

Posted by Amy Rowell on

There are times when you just can’t shake a certain thought from your mind. For over a year now-yes, even pre-COVID - I’ve not been able to shake Psalm 23 from my mind. Every week-some weeks every day-in the midst of busyness or trials or discouragement or confusion, these words come to mind and bring a comfort, assurance, hope and peace I so desperately need. You’re probably familiar with the words; they’re often recited at funerals. Take it from me: don’t wait for a funeral to let these words soak deep into your soul. Consider committing them to memory in this season. You probably have the time! For this is Our God. Jesus tells us in John 10 that He is the Good Shepherd.  

And when I know deep in my bones that Jesus, my Lord, is my shepherd, guiding me, tending to me, caring diligently for me as his own, that can be enough. He makes me lie down in green pastures. Sheep won’t lie down until they are satiated. In my busyness pre-COVID, I often wondered, why don’t I allow Him to fill me more? Why am I looking elsewhere to be fed? He leads me beside quiet waters: sheep can only drink from still waters or else they’ll be swept away by the current. Will I be still enough to let him quench my thirst? He alone has Living Water. He restores my soul; gently nudging me back in the right direction when I wander off either by disillusionment from the current path or spotting something more tantalizing on a different path. Without Him, I want so many things: my kids in school for starters!  As I bring these wants to Him, I am reminded, time and time again, that He is with me, guiding me for His glory: he guides me in the paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake.  

His direction isn’t devoid of difficulty. 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. Somehow, with this Shepherd not only leading me, but walking alongside me, I need not fear. He is equipped and has resources to protect me and get me through both external threats—the rod was used to club predators—and internal weaknesses—the staff was the crook used to bring back wandering sheep who’ve gone astray.

As hard as the journey is some days, I have a feast awaiting 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 love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Well, that does sound pretty good. Lead on, Good, Gentle, Guiding, With-Us Shepherd. As a friend reminded me this week, He is with us in the mess. That’s Him. My Messy Shepherd. Thanks be to God.

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