Discovering Shalom in an Ancient Poem
Week 2
When I began writing this blog post, I wasn’t feeling much shalom in my soul so instead of writing, I took a walk. It never ceases to amaze me how God persistently yet patiently uses ordinary events of life—even when I’ve mis-stepped—to teach me valuable life lessons. I hope you’ll want to read more …
Perhaps coincidentally, perhaps not, today is Ron’s and my 47th wedding anniversary. The following reflection shows that like our spiritual journeys, our marriages, are works in progress which are always good but not always filled with “sunshine and lollipops!”
My morning didn’t begin great! Early on, I felt frustrated with my husband and spoke careless words from a snarky soul. Our generally peaceful home wasn’t a place of shalom! (Shalom = Hebrew word [שָׁלוֹם] denoting harmony, interior peace, completeness, prosperity, and welfare)
I tried to write a blog post, but feeling agitated and finding it hard to concentrate, a walk seemed the better option. I slapped on a hat to cover messy hair and grabbed my phone and earbuds. I wanted to listen to a feel-good novel but determined I probably needed the counsel of a spiritually challenging book and turned on The Divine Counselor by Alex Seeley.
Detouring through the grounds of nearby St. Pius Church, I sat down beside a serene little reflection garden. The cool concrete bench felt welcoming this hazy late-spring morning. A lopsided pine tree mirrored my off-kilter disposition. Some careless critters had scattered bark onto the neatly kept sidewalk reminding me of those careless words spoken earlier. (See photo at the beginning of this post which I took with my phone.)
I was beginning to find a measure of peace gazing upon the deep purple hues of beautiful iris when the author’s voice reminded me that if I am feeling anger, that is okay. Anger is simply an emotion that needs to be processed, and if we bring our anger to the Holy Spirit, He will help us get to the root of it. She also reminded me that God’s character is always good and God is always faithful. While I believe this is truth, I also know truth can be misplaced when life is disrupted.
I turned the audiobook off at this point and sat in silence, wondering how the circumstances of this morning related to the blog post I had begun on Psalm 23.
In Chapter 1 of his book, The Lord is My Shepherd – Resting in the Peace and Power of Psalm 23, Robert Morgan spends a good deal of time explaining the importance of the active linking verb “is” in the opening line of the ancient and poetic words.
Psalm 23, he explains, speaks words to our present situation. Its words are for today.
In retrospect I often recall how the LORD “was” my Good Shepherd in the past. That is helpful.
Even though I know my earthly existence will not last forever, I am convinced the LORD “will” forever be my Good Shepherd. That is comforting.
What I needed this morning though, as I thought about the missing shalom in our home, is a Good Shepherd for right NOW.
My experience is that the Good Shepherd is so very willing to guide me, and the methods He uses are tailor-made to my needs. My responsibility is to quiet down and remember I am simply a sheep who isn’t always that bright and who constantly needs a good shepherd!
I close today’s post with a quote from Chapter 1 of Morgan’s book, which seemed to reinforce the words I’d heard earlier from Chapter 5 of Seeley’s book:
“…what often is missing from our lives is the contemplation of God. We spend hours contemplating finances or projects or problems or family matters. We obsess over many stressful things, and then, to forget about them, we pursue an array of diversions … Many of us have become afraid of a quiet mind. Yet when we learn to practice consciously the presence of God, meditating on His Word and contemplating His attributes, it has a remarkable effect on our brains and thereby on our personalities.”
Sheep, simply being sheep, in a grassy Scotland field.
So, considering all this, I offer to you, my reader friend …
Shalom, shalom for just today!
