Lingering in the Garden
I want to invite you back to that garden moment on Easter Sunday, when Mary chose to stay in her grief rather than rush away. She lingered long enough to hear the risen Christ call her by name. If you stay in the garden long enough, you will know resurrection. Resurrection is not just a single event to celebrate once a year—it’s the way of life God invites us into, even in our ordinary days.
Introducing Psalm 23
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1–3, ESV)
The Psalms are the prayer book of the church—poetry that teaches us how to speak to God. This week, as we begin our five-part series, I want us to hear these words not as familiar lines we recite by rote, but as an invitation to internalize God’s care in our everyday lives.
Rest in the In-Between Moments
We all know mountaintop encounters with God—times when we leave worship feeling renewed and hopeful. But most of our days are spent in the in-between times, wrestling with deadlines, hidden grief, and the pull to control every outcome. In those moments, our souls grow restless, and we wonder if God is really present.
Giving Up Control to Receive Rest
Here’s the truth: you and I were never designed to shepherd ourselves. We were not created to manage every detail, hold together every relationship, and earn our own peace. Yet we white-knuckle life, convinced that rest is something we must earn. We struggle to ask for help—and even harder, to receive it.
Our Good Shepherd Provides
David wrote Psalm 23 from his experience as a shepherd. He knew how vulnerable sheep are, how they wander if not guided, how helpless they are to find food, water, and safety on their own. That’s why the psalm begins with God’s initiative:
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
He provides green pastures for nourishment, still waters for refreshment, and paths of righteousness for our direction. In the valleys of uncertainty, we need only to rest in the fact that he is with us. His rod and staff—symbols of guidance and protection—comfort our anxious hearts.
Walking in God’s Peace
Today, if you are carrying unnamed grief, wearing yourself thin with duties, or lying awake with restless thoughts, hear the Shepherd’s voice. Lay down your burdens. Allow him to lead you beside still waters and restore your soul. Goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
As you move through this week, take a moment each day to pause, breathe, and remember: your rest is a gift from the Good Shepherd, not a prize you earn. He is already caring for you—leading, feeding, and loving you every step of the way.