Remember To Look Up
For years I walked to my deer stand in the dark of winter mornings. It was a pretty good walk down a path worn from years of steps by me, animals and the few times a year that it was driven. The path was mostly hidden by trees so in the wee hours of morn, it was dark. Really dark. Not even the stars shone light on this path. But I knew it pretty well and would trek in with confidence. Confidence because I wasn't alone.
Depending on the day the noises that came through the darkness could be discerned. Sometimes I knew the rustles were squirrels or birds. If there was persistent rustling I figured the culprit was an armadillo. When allowed, my mind would get distracted and want to think about what else could be out there in those woods...I wasn't afraid of pigs in those days and most of the animals I could think of were surely more afraid of me than I was of them; but humans are always suspect.
What if someone was in my stand?
What if I walked all the way out there, climbed the ladder and met nose to nose with a person? That was frightening.
With the cadence of each crunch of my foot on the path, each swish of my jacket as I walked and each breath that echoed in my ears, I said these words; "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." The 23rd Psalm...and yes, I chanted in my head, under my breath, it just as I've copied it here, with all the eth's and thou's.
I could recite this scripture at least twice before I made it to my stand, but just the thought of any part of it gave me comfort. It reminded me that I wasn't alone. Whether I was attacked by a rabid squirrel or a crazed lunatic that had decided to poach from my stand, I was in the Lord's hands and would face either situation as it came.
These days don't find me hunting in stands much, and I haven't recited Psalm 23 in quite awhile, but today as I was reflecting over the past few weeks and the darkness that keeps threatening my heart, it came to my mind. "...through the valley of the shadow.." "...in the presence of mine enemies". Those two excerpts bring comfort to me. They tell me: 1. I'm going to get through that valley. Those I hurt for, worry about, pray for-will get THROUGH their valley. 2. The enemy is going down. Fear, anxiety, illness, ...satan- is going down! "IN YOUR FACE!" I say. In your face satan. In your face hatred. In your face life taking disease.
The Lord IS my shepherd. As my shepherd, He cares for and about me. He provides for me and gives me peaceful rest in His protective arms. His guidance and love directs me to serve Him and share His grace and mercy-for His glory. Even when times are hard; when I cannot fathom any positive outcome, I know He is with me. His WILL will prevail and that gives me hope. He raises me up in front of my enemies: fear, evil, worry, anger, hate, and He blesses me in spite. He blesses me so richly I can hardly contain my praise. Because of His love and sacrifice for me I will never be alone and will live eternally with Him in Glory. (BACF translation of Psalms 23.)
Times may be dark, but walk on in confidence knowing that you are not alone.
When I was lost in the mall at four years old. When my father decided to deny my existence. When my son was sick and I couldn't get to him. When my daughter fought for her life. When I miscarried. When I've lost loved ones. When people are diagnosed with horrible diseases. When I myself was diagnosed with an incurable disease...I never asked God where He was. He was there. I felt Him in the valleys. He's always been there, and He won't leave me. Even if I tell Him to.
When you find yourself in a valley of your own, remember to look up. He's holding out His hand for you, because He's there too.
