pausing to rest by still waters........

GOD, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me 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 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 think we are ready to consider the transformed life of resurrection people:God's people, gathered in by the beloved Son of God, Jesus, and called to live within him.  Perhaps we needed this pause in the middle of resurrection season to take it all in and allow the great power of life that emanates from God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit to take us places we never imagined.

Perhaps it is time to move on out and be about the work of the resurrection.....and that is a scary and complicated adventure.  Perhaps this is exactly why David's beautiful psalm sits right in the middle of our Easter season. ....

because if we are going to live this resurrection life, if we are going to live within Jesus, serving as he served, and bringing God's good news to a host of strangers, if we are going to step into the places of death and darkness and call people to new life in Jesus.... then we just might need to know there will be a resting place, a safe place, a place of blessing and grace prepared for us.

God's great green pastures are neither a reward nor a destination, rather David depicts the depth of possibility in our relationship with this Father of love and Son of grace....... We will need this place of refreshment for the transformed life takes all we have to give.  Thank you God that you know this and provide for us.