This morning we read and meditated on Psalm 23 during our virtual worship service.
´ 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. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
For many, the coronavirus crisis feels like a very dark valley, one in which we feel isolated and attacked by an invisible enemy. Psalm 23 reminds us that Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me.
And we are not alone, and we are not helpless. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. For many of us we have been given a great gift, time;
time to rekindle a passion we long ago abandoned,
time to get in shape (finally!),
time to rest and think (or rest and not think!!!), and
time to connect, or in some important cases, reconnect, with others.
Modern technology, like the technology we used to worship together virtually this morning, allows us to reconnect even as we are isolated.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long. I have heard from many of you and others I know that many of us have chatted (texted, phoned, Skyped, Zoomed, etc.) with loved ones, friends, and acquaintances in recent days. Reach out, now. Don't wait, we have the chance to experience loving, and nurturing relationships, to bring light out of the darkness of this crisis. Let your cup overflow with kind words, memories, even plans for the future - for this will eventually end, this pandemic.
And when it does end, expect to have goodness and mercy follow us out of the darkness. Expect it!
Go now in peace!
For those who would like good, helpful, up-to-date information about the coronavirus and how we can protect ourselves and others from it, you might consult the University of Vermont Health Network website.
The two photos depicting darkness and light were taken by me in July 2019 on Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
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