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What is the right path?

“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

– Psalm 23:3

I have been thinking about Stephen’s message last Sunday and his statement that “right paths” in Psalm 23 don’t refer to a single, clear path. “Right paths” don’t mean that God will show me a straight, yellow-brick road that I can just head off on by myself and not need any direction from God in the future. 

Stephen suggested that we are on “right paths” when we invite God to join us – wherever we are. I have, at many times in my life, wished that God would reveal the next portion of the journey for me so I could see where I was headed and how things would turn out. But the reality is that if He did I would probably assess the situation, gather the things I needed, pack my bag, and head out toward that goal.

All by myself.

And not think about asking Him to come along with me until I forgot something or something went wrong.

During the second service, Stephen mentioned the song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day. The chorus of that song is:

My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me

My shallow heart’s the only thing that’s beating

Sometimes, I wish someone out there will find me

‘Til then, I walk alone

So bleak. When I hear those words I am so, so, so incredibly grateful that God doesn’t give me the yellow-brick road or the full picture of my life. I’m so grateful that I don’t know where I’m headed because my uncertainty reminds me of my need for Him. It spurs me to talk to Him and ask Him to join me where I am. I don’t always know where we’re walking but I am certain that I’m walking with the One who loves me, has found me, and I’m not walking alone.

Green Pastures

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

 Chances are, we have heard these words from Psalm 23:2 hundreds, maybe thousands, of times in our lives if we grew up around the church. The imagery makes us think of calm, lush valleys of deep greens and still lakes reflecting the world around them.  What a wonderful place to lie down and rest!  We Coloradans seek these places out with our backpacks and tents to set up camp and unplug from the world.  Maybe these are the places we connect with God the most directly.  As the Celtics would say, maybe these places are “thin places” for us, where God seems near and not so complicated….where there aren’t many obstacles between the two of us.  These are wonderful places and I’m so thankful for them……

 AND……

 That’s not what David is talking about when he writes these words.  I know that sounds like bad news, but it is the furthest thing from it.  The reality of the situation will show us how God uses certain types of landscapes and topography in our lives to keep our hearts, minds, emotions, and hopes set on Him as the Shepherd and not on the circumstances we find ourselves in; how the material/spiritual/relational/abundance that we often desire and focus on is not always the best thing for us in the long run. 

The Shepherd

The only real constant in King David’s life was danger.

As a shepherd, David was in danger of being attacked by lions and bears. As a fugitive, David fled the bloodthirst jealousy of Saul. Even as a king, David was in danger of Saul’s children seeking his death. That’s a lot of danger to deal with! That’s a lot of danger for anyone to deal with!

Although the severity of danger will vary, there is nevertheless a threat that wields its head throughout our journey from time to time. The threat of a job loss or financial catastrophe. The threat of failed relationship or relational irreconcilability. The threat of addiction or growing dependencies. The threat of violence or conflict. The threat of depreciating health or mobility.

Left unattended, those threats become louder and heavier over time. They may inform a narrative questioning our safety. They may deteriorate our patience and trust. They may imprint suspicion and contempt where love once lived.

All, very natural consequences of danger left unattended.

During the season of Epiphany, we’ll draw from the wisdom writing of King David. We’ll consider together what it means to have a good shepherd. A shepherd who faithfully greets us as we are. A shepherd who provides safety amidst threat, and protection amidst danger. A shepherd who invites us to rest on his trustworthy chest. A shepherd whom David recognized as the only antidote to his fears.