Don't put it off

I saw something the other day that said, "We cannot put off living until we are ready." It was probably an advertisement for some financial business, promoting one's "readiness" for those "golden years", but it kind of bespoke how much we go about life and just don't really "live it". We miss moments because we are making plans for "some day". Moments won't come back to us - once spent, they are gone! Maybe that is why Facebook put those "reminders" up there on our feed to remind us of the moments we actually posted something that are now called "memories".

23 Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need! 2-3 He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most. Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.  You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow! Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home. (Psalm 23 TLB)

Most of us would associate the words of Psalm 23 being read at the bedside of of loved ones who is in the final course of their lives. Those all too familiar words, "Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Yet, do we really walk without fear? Do we honestly feel those moments of meadow grass and quiet streams? Have we enjoyed them as much as humanly possible? Yes, I want God to guide us as we navigate any dark valley, especially the one that leads up to our last breath, but I also want us to really experience his presence in the moments of today's breaths!

God's goodness and unfailing love are often missed when the moments pass us by unnoticed. We forget to look, and then we miss it all! It is a sad thing to admit, but I have to "make moments" to spend with him, or life would consume all of me and there'd be nothing left to enjoy with him! I think this is a priority in my life - one others may not understand, but one which I guard very closely. Why? Those moments are not something to be "put off". There is strength to be found in them. There is substance that will help me to solve the issues ahead of me in the day I will face. There is even correction that needs to occur so that my day goes as it should, not as it would!

We might miss something in this psalm, so I want to focus us on it for just a moment. It says he "lets me" rest in the meadow grass. That means God's plan includes specific time where I just rest a little - not driving forward a hundred miles an hour all of the time - but just taking the foot off the gas a little while and resting. He also leads, but it is to places of quietness and refreshing. Whether he "let's" or "leads", both are intended for our good! Just sayin!

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