Waiting On Him

Body: Feeling pretty good today! Was outside and even cut the grass! It was a great day to enjoy some cooler temperatures and God's creation. While I still tire easily, I am grateful that blood levels have been moving in the right direction. Recovery from this past chemo has been much slower than from some of the others. Maybe my body is in rebellion:-)!

Spirit: Psalm 23:3b-4a "The Path He Chooses"

I've been reflecting on this passage for the last couple of weeks and it has really ministered to and challenged my soul.

I've read and recited this passage many times, but only casually reflected on what it means. I've always thought that the phrase, "He leads me in paths of righteousness..," indicated what He expected from me as I follow Him. He desires holiness, purity, goodness, etc. in all that I do. That righteousness becomes a way of life. While there may be truth in that, I have seen something else as I reflect on my life circumstances at present and it totally focuses back on the Shepherd: the path He chooses is always right, good, pure, perfect. The shepherd makes the choice of paths for the sheep and what this Shepherd chooses is always right.

This is where I became aware of a tie-in with verse 4 which I hadn't seen before. His path is the right path, "even though I walk through the valley..." This Shepherd takes His sheep on the right path and sometimes that includes deep valleys...inexplicable struggles and mysteries...but it is the right path...because He chose it.

The reason I know He chooses the path for my life carefully is this, "He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake." Two thoughts strike me about this important phrase. First, God's purpose in all that He does is to bring glory to Himself. Not in an arrogant way, but because there is no greater good than His glory. He chooses right paths for my life so that He will receive maximum glory. How great is that?

Second, the sheep are owned by the shepherd. They are his sheep and are totally dependent on the shepherd to choose a path that will benefit and protect them. They just don't know what is best. Therefore He chooses the path for their benefit as well as His glory...even when it includes the dark valley. God chooses my path carefully because I am His child. His name is attached to me. Because of this, He is vitally concerned about the path that is chosen for me.

The response of the sheep to the shepherd's leading cannot be taken for granted...especially as it applies to our relationship with the Good Shepherd. I need to remember and embrace my role in this relationship with God: He's the Shepherd, I'm the sheep. He leads, I follow. He is infinite, I am finite. He commands, I obey.

This relationship of sheep and Shepherd works well as long as I am in agreement with the paths He chooses. It becomes problematic for me when He takes me on a path that includes the valley, especially the dark valley. Everything within me says, "Hold it! You've made a mistake! This can't be the right path; it's too steep, dark and difficult." In those moments, what I believe about God is tested along with my willingness to trust Him. These are the critical moments when faith can grow stronger and God reveals something very special about Himself: His presence. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me!!"

No matter what path He chooses for me, I am not alone. He doesn't select a path and send me...He leads me, never leaving me alone! Can there be any greater comfort than this? So, as I wait for tomorrow's tests, which He already knows about, I am grateful for the comfort Psalm 23:3b-4a brings: He has chosen THE right path for my life, for His glory and my good...and He will be with me each step of the way. I am greatly blessed!!