Psalm 23; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Have you ever seen the Insurance
commercials featuring a guy who represents all sorts of mayhem? A car accident
because of texting drivers, raccoons in the attic, a fall down the stairs, a
fire in the cargo area from a still burning grill, and so forth. The tag line
is always something that reminds us that quality insurance protects us from
mayhem better than cut-rate insurance.
It’s not my intent to tell you to
get a certain insurance, but to reflect on how mayhem is everywhere. It may be the
stuff that happens to us – accidents, financial stress, serious illness. There
is always something unexpected in our lives that creates some mayhem.
And lately in the news around the country
and around the world, there has been plenty of mayhem: shootings, riots, wars,
politics, financial worries, hunger, poverty, racism, and the list goes on and
on. As I shared last week, we can take a break from the constant news by
turning it off, by not reading the newspaper. However, we can’t turn off the
mayhem in our own lives in the same way.
There is plenty of mayhem in any
age. A few weeks ago, Jesus has sent the
disciples out on a mission trip. While they are gone, Jesus remembers how John
the Baptist faced his own life-ending mayhem. In the meantime, we assume Jesus has been
inundated as always with requests for healing.
Then the disciples return home and
report on the successes they had in healing sick people and casting out demons.
Jesus recognizes that they need some time apart, to debrief—hear the stories,
get some rest. They try to escape, but the crowds keep following. Wherever they
go, there is mayhem.
Today, we have as one of our
readings the 23rd Psalm. It always seems to remind us of God’s care
for us, and invites us to come away with Jesus and rest.
So, let’s take a stroll through
the psalm and see how God can help us find some rest and some time away from
the mayhem of life.
We begin by remembering that God –
Jesus – is the Shepherd, and like all good shepherds, we are loved and cared
for. We are fed and nourished in every way. There may be things that we want,
but we receive from God all that we need.
We are invited to stWop and sit in
comfort beside God’s still waters. The gentle waves of calm seas, of inland
lakes and rivers reflects our own heartbeat. When we stop our frantic effort to
do something, to compete with each other, when we take time to listen only to
the waves lapping the beach, we can hear God’s voice – My beloved child, I love
you!
When we listen and hear God’s love
for us, we are made whole. We want to please the one who loves us, so we make
choices that please God. We treat others kindly, passing on God’s love, so
they, too, may know that wonderful love.
Even in the midst of life’s
mayhem, we can find this place of respite because we know God is always with
us. God’s Spirit surrounds us, behind and before us, beside and within us,
above and below us. This knowledge of God’s presence reassures us, even though
the mayhem remains.
In the face of mayhem, God offers
us an abundance of love and mercy, an over-flowing cup-full of blessings. When
we stop and listen for god’s heartbeat, we can count our blessings, and
discover that they are endless.
Knowing we are so blessed leads us
into deeper and deeper relationship with the divine. We know we belong to God,
we are beloved children of God, and we love God in return. Taking time to be
with God leads us to want more time with God.
To spend time in God’s presence,
we often have to plan it. We are so surrounded by mayhem for most of our lives that
it becomes easier and easier to believe that time with God is not essential to
us.
It’s good, then, to occasionally hear
this call to stop, to sit by the river or the sea, or even by the pool, and
breathe in God’s fresh air. It’s good to ignore the mayhem for a few minutes
and spend time in God’s presence.
I invite you now to do just that. Find
a comfortable position. Breathe slowly, in and out. Imagine Jesus is sitting
here with us, so we can have that physical reminder of God, or use whatever
image of God you prefer.
Now, listen as I read the psalm.
Imagine that you are a contented sheep – or lazy teenager – hanging out on the
river bank. Hear and see the water lapping on the shore. Hear the birds calling
to each other. Notice the squirrels playing hide and seek and the lizards
defending their territory as they skitter around you. The animals have all they
need. So do we.
Psalm 23 (from Evangelical
Lutheran Worship)
1The LORD is my shepherd; / I shall not be
in want.
2The LORD makes me lie down in green
pastures/ and leads me be side still waters.
3You restore my soul, O LORD, / and
guide me along right pathways for your name's sake.
4Though I walk / through the valley of the
shadow of death, / I shall fear no evil;
for you are with me; / your rod and
your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the
presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, and my
cup is running over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
This week, take a break from the
mayhem of errands, doctor visits, house work and laundry, yard work and car
maintenance, earning a living, and taking care of children. Take a break, and
spend time each day with God.
Please pray with me. Lord Jesus,
you called the disciples to come away with you for a time of rest. Even you
found it hard to do. Encourage us, challenge us, and then be present with us. Amen
