As my “Psalm 23 Shepherd,” Lord Jesus, you lead me beside the still waters, like the picture here—you give me opportunity to be with you, to take in, to gain eternal perspective.

You lead, but I must both follow, and then drink. I must choose to spend time in your Word, in worship, in intercession and confession, in pouring out my heart and lifting up my soul to you. And I can do this because you are “good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all who come to you” (Psalm 86:5 KJV).

As I choose to drink from your Word and revel in your presence, you will restore my soul: bringing refreshment, insight, wisdom, understanding, greater faith and more praise.

You work to restore my soul to more of its pre-fall perspective, making me more like yourself. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory…” (2 Cor. 3:18).

As David wrote in Psalm 138:3 “In the day when I cried you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.” Our soul is our mind, our will, our emotions and God wants to transform each one, starting with our mind: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2.

That’s the place to start, being in the Word every day, reading, memorizing, meditating, obeying. Simple, hard, good!