Psalm 23 – He guides me in paths of righteousness.
I remember reading a newspaper article about a young man who collapsed at a disco. On examining the man, a medic found him to be wearing fifteen T-shirts, which had caused him to overheat. The young man had put on layers and layers of clothing to achieve look that made him feel better about himself. Ultimately it was this thinking that brought about his suffering, and embarrassment.
“The LORD will bless His people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11
Restoring broken relationships.
Many years ago my wife and I bought a Tiffany print for £50, (a large outlay for students!). The picture was full of vibrant colours, as you looked out onto a landscape through a medieval window, and I would often find myself drawn to the picture. Many years later I went online to look at how much another print would cost. In looking at a picture of the one I already owned I came to realise that, over the years, I had not noticed how much it had faded – or that the colours now bore little similarity to the original. I now knew the difference and could not restore my picture. Eventually I took it down, and then threw it out. Many of us feel that our lives lack lustre and write ourselves off – yet we have a Father who can restore even the most damaged of lives.
Imagine seeing two people working in the grounds of a large Mansion. At a distance they both look the same, but internally – where Jesus reveals life is lived first and foremost (Matt 5:28) – there is a massive difference. In many ways they may be alike, yet there is one little difference that makes a very big difference: attitude.
One of the workers appreciates having a job in a day and age when there are not many jobs available. He’s thankful for what he gets, no matter how hard he works. The other worker is not like this. He always moans about work, goes on about how bored he is, and constantly complains about rich people who live in mansions. Which of the two is really free?
In your mind’s eye picture a hot, dry and barren desert. As you look out into the desert you see hundreds of hungry and thirsty people wandering around, not in a crowd but on their own and occasionally shouting out at anyone who crossed their path. Yet all these people have one thing in common; they believed they knew how to take control of their lives – and now they are struggling. As you watch these people you notice a shepherd approaching people individually. He shows great concern for them, and as he holds up his arms out, an oasis of lush vegetation and running water appears around the person. Think about this, because what you see is a picture of compassion.
During one of my placements I worked in a police station for a few days. After a hard day’s work I stopped to read a newspaper a few minutes before clocking off. As I was reading the paper I suddenly I realised that the room had gone quiet. A man had come into the room and was staring at me. I kept on reading the paper whilst thinking to myself, “I’m sure I’m supposed to recognise you from somewhere.” Unfortunately I failed to realise that it was the Chief Inspector in charge of the station, until after he’d started having a go at me. No one on the room bothered to say anything in my defence, and before I could open my mouth he had walked out.