He Maketh Me
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…” Ps. 23:2a
Dear Friend,
He maketh me…
Those three words can sound harsh. Abrasive. Controlling. And in our independence-driven society the concept of ANYONE forcing us to do ANYTHING is anathema.
Even if it is for our good.
It’s easy to fall for the misconception touted in our culture that I know what is best for me. But sheep are not always wise. They are creatures prone to lethal curiosity, disease, and predators. They need the restorative power of rest. They need the nourishment of green pastures. Otherwise, they become restless, anxious, and sickly. They possess the capacity to wander and agitate themselves to the death.
And no matter how weary they are, they will not lie down unless they are:
- Free of fear. How many times does the unexpected, the unknown, stalk our peace and upend our sense of security and wholeness? When life flexes its diabolical side, when disease and loss and reversals haunt our steps and remind us of just how fragile our existence is…how can we rest? All is primed within against a looming threat—even our minds become a traitor to the rest we so desperately need.
- Free of contention. Sheep are territorial. Consumed with the pecking order among themselves. They fight for status. Assert themselves to hoard the best, the preeminence in the flock for themselves. Too often we can fall into this trap too. Pride bates us. Tells us to fight for what we want. Fight for our status among our peers. But this spirit is the antithesis of contentment…of rest…of what it means to be whole.
- Free of pests. Flies. Ticks. Accidents. House repairs. Hard work hours. Tight finances. Personality clashes. Challenging relationships. Political unrest. So many irritants small and large exist to prick and prod and keep us in a state of agitation so we miss the provision of our Shepherd, and our soul grows tired and haggard.
- Free of hunger. It is no small thing to have green pastures. Especially considering David wrote this Psalm in Palestine. The understanding, the foresight, the industry that it takes to prepare lush, verdant fields in an arid climate is astounding. Yet Christ prepares this for us and bids us come and satisfy our deepest hunger in Him, the bread of life. With bellies filled with His goodness and grace, we can lay down and be restored.
The only power great enough to silence these distresses is the presence of the Shepherd. But sometimes we push Him away because we don’t like the prying light of His presence. Or we hide from Him, bent on nursing our hurt or covering our shame. Or perhaps we want to be master of our own destiny, the only one who decides what is right and wrong for us.
When we place all the stress and anxiety of current or future problems into His capable hands…
When we seek only His approval, His presence, His definition to validate us…
When we open our thoughts and emotions to His words and promises and let His value system become ours…
When we answer His knock at our heart’s door and push away the commotion that will always clamor for our attention and just sit at His feet and fellowship with Him…
Then He can lead us into His pasture of provision.
Then we can hear and respond to His loving insistence that now is a time for rest and He will keep the universe and our lives running without our worry or help.
Then we can lay down under His eternal care and discover that while the world rages and clashes in its course, our soul is nourished and restored.
A new year unfolds ahead of us. The terrain ahead already mapped out by the Shepherd of our souls. Every provision we need for every challenge we will face, has already been assessed and accommodated for by Christ. Let’s walk into the opportunities of 2024 in the wake of our Shepherd’s footsteps and may our hearts burst with hope that He will lead us the whole way through.
Much love,
Kristy