Reading: 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. 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.

Reflection

I know I have written this before but it bears repeating. It would have helped my young mind a lot if someone had explained, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want” means “I shall not be in want” or, in others words, “I have everything I need.” It would have saved a lot of confusion because to me it sounded like we did not want the Lord. I am not sure when I finally asked. I am sure I should have asked sooner.

My church’s theme for Lent this year is Ask. Questions express the longings of the heart and the puzzles of the mind. A question can show the distance between me and you. A question can also bring us closer. Questions can also bring us closer to God.

At times, people swallow their wonderings like I did for so long. What question do you have? Ask it.

–Ruth Gates

Prayer

God, why do I struggle to understand what seems to be so simple? Why am I slow to ask? What are you asking of me today?

Amen.