A Psalm 23 Meditation
This week’s meditations deal with the wonderful verses of Psalm 23. The text offers many wonderful images that can help us through the maze of life.
Have you ever been in a valley of deep darkness? If we were to translate the Hebrew words literally, that would be a preferred translation for the “valley of the shadow of death”. Think about valleys of deep darkness that people experience. Dare we name them? Loneliness, sadness, being overwhelmed, feeling threatened, isolation, a terminal illness — these are some of those valleys we experience and hesitate to name.
When we are traveling though a valley of deep darkness we feel very vulnerable. It is comforting to know when we are traveling through these difficult places that our Creator is present “with rod and staff” to guide us through. Sometimes the rod is needed to beat back the dangers around us. Sometimes the staff is necessary because the crook can pull us back onto a better path. Valleys of deep darkness don’t need to be lonely! They can be places where the silence teaches us to trust.
Have a good day today. If you aren’t in a valley right now, there may be those around you who are. You may be the rod or staff to help guide them through their darkness. May your care (giving) be blessed with a touch of the divine?
A Prayer attributed to Marcarius the Great: “Lord, help! Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
05.26.10
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