The simple idea that God is there to guide us, that simple idea alone gives us comfort. We are not alone. We are not without direction.
God's guidance comes often when we are still and waiting. Listen for where love will take you today.
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 right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I 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 my whole life long.
Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is a very familiar passage to most people, one that can bring up memories from the past, offer comfort, and provide hope in what sometimes seem like hopeless situations. It’s easy to get caught up in memories when reading this passage and miss a new word that God may have for us.
When we read this passage through the lens of Love’s Shepherd, maybe something new can come to light. What does a shepherd do? A shepherd takes care of his or her sheep. A shepherd knows what sheep need and provides for them. A shepherd keeps the sheep where they need to be, keeps them fed, and protects them from danger. Sometimes the sheep wander off, but the shepherd is always looking for them and trying to keep them where they need to be. Like sheep, we often wander off, we sometimes lose track of where we are and what we need. How blessed are we to have a God who shepherds us, not out of obligation, but out of love.
Susan Reed
God who cares for us like a loving shepherd, thank you for guiding me and seeking me when I feel lost. Help me to remember you are there with me, keeping watch over me at all times. Amen.
Though you may feel that you have no way to go,
Love is there to lead you.
When the world seems dark and scary,
God is there to give you light.
In the midst of every trouble, every care,
Christ's arms surround and hold you.