Our Lord and Our God
You are so good. Today, as we reflect on your goodness, let us sit and take a deep breath in
(Breathe in)
And out
(Breathe out)
Now, as we sit with out eyes closed. As the worries of the world flood in. As our plans for what happens after this cycle through. As the week leading up to now is weighing on us. As the week coming up is stressing us out.
Let us pause - and breathe
And here we are, a green pasture. It’s been so dry. We can look out on our front yard and see what the lack of water does. Our yards are dry. And as we sit here this morning, all the stresses of life upon us, there is a glimpse - this yard that is supposed to be green isn’t. This job isn’t the fulfillment I’ve been looking for. This relationship is draining me. This life I have is lacking the water it needs to grow and flourish and be green and grow.
And we look towards what should be- this green pasture that we long for. And we try and try and everything we try consumes all the resources that are available- and our yard is still burnt and dying and we think - if only it could rain and water would flow down and replenish. But our water comes from a reservoir and the reservoir is running dry and the the systems in place we have been relying on that have sort of provided are not able to provide the nourishment our yards need.
So we look at our yard and it is yellow and dying, and we sigh. Lord, lets be clear, the yard that is drying up is a projection. It is our own selves that are drying up.
But here we are together. And we breathe
And there we no longer have to stand - we lie in green pastures. Flourishing green pastures that have a source. And if we look for this source on our own, the pastures dry up. We are like an ant on our dirt hill, we are like a worm in the sun. We are restless and can not hear You. The weight of the world around us consumes us, we are lonely, addicted, depressed, anxious, hungry. The systems we rely on are not working, and we know we should trust you instead, but we follow our own paths. We are like a pitcher of water that has been poured out, our hearts of wax have been melted. Our strength is like pottery that has been broken. And we clinch our jaws as we lie down in the bed of dust we have made for ourselves.
But we breathe, and remember. We do not have to fear, because You are with us. The valleys we might find ourselves in are either from our own doing or because of the circumstances in our lives, but even then we look, and You are with us. It may be dark, but you are a light. Our pitcher may be empty, but You lead us to waters that overfill and restore completely. And when we find ourselves in these valleys and darkness, Your protective rod and guiding staff provide our comfort. Even when the weight and distractions of this world feel as though they are all upon us, You are with us.
And then, not only do You guide us and protect us, You have set a table before us. A table with good food that provides the actual nourishment we need. And we can decide to come and eat and be filled, even in the presence of the situations or choices that we find ourselves that we thought were preventing us from seeing and knowing You.
And, Lord, we don’t understand, but You welcome us wholly, anointing us with oil as if we are peers, brothers and sisters, wholly recognized as citizens of Your kingdom.
And even more, where our pitcher was emptied and we were drained, You fill us to overflowing, not for our excess, but for our neighbor who is emptied.
Certainly, Lord. Certainly Your goodness and faithfulness have been there all along, certainly they are here now, and as we look to our days, weeks, months, years ahead - certainly, that same goodness and faithfulness will be with us all the days of our lives and our homes will not be based on the brick and dry walled walls that we see, but our homes will be with You forever
And we pray this with the psalmist a couple thousand years ago, we pray this with the followers of you across the world this morning, we pray this for our own selves and also for the communities and relationships we find ourselves in. Lord, we pray this all together, that Your goodness and faithfulness and mercy and grace and hope and love might be known by all people.
Amen