Ordinary Time

Pause

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
much we need Thy tender care;
in Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use Thy folds prepare:
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

Dororthy A. Thrupp in “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” (1836)

 

Listen

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me.

Your rod and your staff— they protect me.

Psalm 23:4

Think

In the Bible, mountains represent those places we encounter God and are near to God. Moses met with God on the mountain in Exodus 19. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on a mountain (Exodus 24). In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus took his disciples up a mountain where he was transfigured, and the disciples heard God’s voice there.

When we have “mountaintop” experiences and feel close to God, maybe at camp or a retreat, it’s really amazing, and we wish they could last forever. However, we know that’s not how life works. Life often brings valleys – low, dark places, when we feel alone and afraid.

Today’s verses remind us that our Good Shepherd is with us even in the darkest valleys. We can trust God beyond our feelings, knowing that God is with us to see us through to the light.

Stella Perrin

Pray

Loving God, when I am in a dark place in life, remind me that you are with me holding me close.

Amen.

Go

Go, cherished child of God, trusting in and listening to the Good Shepherd to guide and care for you.

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