I take much for granted.
And, because of this, I am preparing my heart to celebrate Easter by being intentional in what I think about, what I hold close to my heart, what I notice in each day, and what I notice about God in my midst.
Saturday night upon landing at Oakland airport after a speaking engagement, I noticed that I mentally said a quiet, “Thank You Lord.” It was then, as I acknowledged the safe landing that I realized how “used” to safe landings I have become. I suppose that is a good thing to get used to, but not noticing the hand of God in my circumstances is something that is never a good thing to accept. But, I have accepted not noticing. And, instead of noticing all things God and all things good, I have become skilled at noticing the negative, the hard, and the unwelcome things in my day, my life and my surroundings.
Why? I think it is because I live in a culture of entitlement. So when things don’t go my way, I am frustrated, bent out of shape, and unthankful. I have grown us assuming that this kind of mental and emotional temper tantrum was normal and yes, acceptable. Why consider the safe landing when it is routine? Why consider another day of good health, when it is the norm? Why appreciate the kindness of a friend when they are always there for me? I am aware today of how sad it is that I don’t notice the things I am to notice and delight in, the simple things, the movement of God things….in every day things.
Yes, I take much for granted.
Today as I look out into my neighborhood, it is peaceful, the sun is shining, and there is the quiet humming of a lawn mower that is keeping someone’s yard manicured a few blocks away. This quiet is not what people are experiencing around the world. Instead of sunshine and quiet houses, some are experiencing war, domestic turmoil and political upheaval. Today as I experience calm, many are living huddled up together in the aftermath of Japan’s tragic current events. They are on our television screens, in our newspapers, their images flooding the internet news sources…and Yes, they are embedded upon God’s heart.
I had been reflecting on Psalm 23 for atleast a month now. I read and re-read. I find different versions and pharaphrases. I let the words sit with me, dwell in me and make a mental shift in me. It is this Psalm that had me recognizing the safe landing, and noticing the quiet calm. It is this Psalm that led me to think I am not as grateful as I could be for the GREAT and wonderful hand of God in my life. It is the Psalm that helps me pray for the people in Japan, knowing that God, the Great Shepherd, is holding them, in the aftermath of disaster.
Psalm 23 ( The message)
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me in quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk by at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
I just want to break this down:
First and foremost, God is my Shepherd! And, that statement deserves an exclamation mark. It is bold,beautiful, and true. It is true when things are calm and when things are not so calm. It is true when I see Him and when I don’t. God IS…He is with me, He is watching me, He is covering me, He is putting His own boundaries around me. A Shepherd takes care of the sheep, watches over them, keeps them from harm and enemy attack. A Shepherd feeds the sheep, nourishing them…growing them.
This word picture of a Sheep and the Shepherd, was meant to teach us what God is to us. Nuturing, caring, protecting, growing, leading, guiding…
And, yes, sometimes he lays us down for rest. He makes us lay down in green pastures, in quiet places…for our own good. But, we don’t notice. We take it for granted. We shake our heads and fingers a the very thought that us being slowed down could be “good”. We don’t say “Thank You” Lord. We get frustrated that our pace has been changed.
What would happened if we got intentional about believing….God is MY Shepherd?????
What if we believed that He is guiding us in a way that is loving, kind and protective. What if we no longer looked at changed plans and hardship as something negative, instead seeing that it is life…and in real life we have a Shepherd…caring, watching over us always.
I want to be more intentional. I want to notice. I want to thank. I want to reflect. I want to appreciate this very BIG truth. God is my Shepherd.
What about you?
I read a book a while ago by Philip Keller titled, “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23”. It has made me look at those wonderful six verses in a more insightful way. I too am busy living my life and taking the “normal” for granted. Thank you for reminding me to be more intentional and to notice God in every part of my life.
Thank you, God, that my car dependably got me to work. Thank you for the blessing of a job I enjoy. Thank you for friends. And most of all… thank you for being a God who is intimately involved in the ordinary details of my life. AMEN
I too just blogged about this Psalm a few weeks ago. With the theme of “taking things for granted”, don’t we do that with His Word? Because this Psalm is familiar we don’t really stop and think about the power it has in our lives because we’ve “heard it” before. I slowed down and spent time in this Psalm and listened to our Good Shepherd. He is nourishing and protecting, guiding and comforting.
And I too love “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23”. Great book!