Living in the Vine, Week 5: Abide

Psalm 23

Oh my Beloved, You are my shepherd,

I shall not want;

You bring me to green pastures

for rest

and lead me beside still waters

renewing my spirit;

You restore my soul.

You lead be in the path of

goodness

to follow Love's way.

Even though I walk through the

valley of the shadow and

of death,

I am not afraid;

For You are ever with me,

your rod and staff

they guide me,

they give me strength

and comfort.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of all my fears;

you bless me with oil,

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will

follow me

all the days of my life;

and I shall dwell in the heart

of the Beloved forever. Amen.

The vine has been planted in good soil. Branches are pruned and receiving sunlight and water. Now is the time for the branch to rest and abide in the vine, and trust that everything which is needed to grow and bear fruit -- is here.

Psalm 23 is a beautiful description of abiding in God. It describes the shepherd leading the sheep (and us) to the green pastures and still waters to renew our spirit and restore our soul. I am drawn to how the sheep are gently led to the still waters and green pastures by the loving shepherd, but are not forced to lie down, eat or drink. Like the sheep, it is our choice to rest in God, or rush around in our minds and bodies, frantically seeking something outside ourselves to fill our empty hearts and make us feel safe.

Aren’t you, like me, hoping that some person, thing, or event will come along to give you that final feeling of inner well-being you desire? Don’t you often hope: “May this book, idea, course, trip, job, country, or relationship fulfill my deepest desire”? But as long as you are waiting for that mysterious moment you will go on running helter-skelter, always anxious and restless, always lustful and angry, never fully satisfied. You know that this is the compulsiveness that keeps us going and busy but at the same time makes us wonder whether we are getting anywhere in the long run. This is the way to spiritual exhaustion and burnout. (Henri Nouwen)

Before we begin the journey of Holy Week, let's take a few moments to:

slow down...

abide...

and rest..

in the heart (vine) of the Beloved.

Song: Slow Me Down (Porter's Gate)

https://youtu.be/06kxfswbA8A

Lyrics:

O good shepherd,

would you teach me how to rest

I'm rushing on, will you make me to lie down

Will you build a fold by the waters that refresh

Will you call my name and lead me safely out?

From my anxious drive to labor on and on

From the restless grind that has put my mind to sleep

Will you call me back and gently slow me down

Will you show me now what to lose and what to keep

CHORUS: O Good Shepherd, O Good friend,

slow me down, slow me down.

When my table's bent with only greed and gold

And my grasping hands are afraid you won't provide

Will you pour the wine that loosens up my hold

Set your table here with what truly satisfies.

On the busy streets trying to make myself a name

If the work is yours, there is nothing I can claim

Will you lead me home to the pastures of your peace

And the home is yours. I'm sitting at your feet

Blessing:

Believe this love goes on— that it still takes your face into its hands, that it presses its forehead to yours as it speaks to you in undying words, that it has never ceased to gather your heart into its heart.

Believe this blessing abides. Believe it goes with you always. Believe it knows you still.

~Jan Richardson

Resources:

Painting: "Beside Still Waters" by Greg Olson

Nan Merrill, Psalms for Praying, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2007, pp. 38-39

Henri Nouwen, Daily Meditations, www.henrinouwen.org

Jan Richardson, from:The Blessing That Does Not End, The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief, Orlando, FL: Wanton Gospeller Press, 2016, p. 177