Thinking more of bumpy days.

“The Lord is my shepherd…he makes me to lie down in green pastures.” Psalm 23:1,2

Praise you, Lord, for you do not take our advice on where we should be at each stage of life. Instead you make us lie down where you know it is best—you don’t ask us or suggest or advise, you make us stay there.

That green pasture could be a

moment of great success—or of monumental failure;

it could be great comfort—or painful suffering;

it could be in wonderful health—or in severe sickness;

in rich, positive relationships—or in continual conflicts;

in having plenty of money—or in pitiful poverty;

in being wonderfully fulfilled in work—or living in futility and frustration; i

n having warm, supportive relations—or in being cut down, wounded and rejected.

You know what is best for the moment, Lord Jesus, so you make us lie down in this green, sustaining, place of growth—

a place where we can feed on your Word, drink from your presence, rest in your love.

If we cooperate in this way, then this pasture becomes one of learning, growing and deepening until we internalize what is necessary.

The pasture we find ourselves in may look brown and desolate to us, but it is exactly what we need at the moment to drive us into your embrace where we will be transformed for the next step up in our life with you. Help us to embrace whatever pasture you give us, Lord, and cooperate with you and your plans by first  offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Picture: ears open to the Lord, staying in His green pasture.