When you read Psalm 23, and it mentions “green pastures” have you always envisioned fields of nothing but tall, beautiful green grass you can roll around in and eat all day? (Well if you were an animal that ate grass bahaha) I’ve heard this before and was reminded again yesterday while reading “Start with Amen” by Beth Guckenberger that it was completely NOT that at all. Beth shares in her book that while visiting Israel and watching the shepherds on the mountainside with their sheep, she asked the guide why the shepherd led them here where there wasn’t any grass and just a bunch of rocks. He went on to say…
“Look under the rocks. The dew from morning gets caught under them and small grass clumps grow. See how the shepherd is walking among them? Well, they know his voice and he’s pointing out to them where the grass is found.” …It doesnt take long for the sheep to finish that tuft of grass so they have to stay near the shepherd to hear his voice, so they know where to go and eat next. Here’s the cool thing…if the “green pastures” in psalm 23 were like what we imagined (full of thick grass), it would represent our TOTAL INDEPENDANCE. We could eat all we wanted, do what we wanted and just thank God for putting us there but all other factors would be in our control. HOWEVER…David was on rocky hillsides when he wrote psalm 23. His idea of God leading us to green pastures places us in a POSTURE OF DEPENDANCE. God’s way puts me in a position where He might provide only what will sustain me for the next 3-4 steps. Then, dependent on Him more, I stay on the path within earshot and listen for His leading so I’ll find what I need. LISTEN. BITE. STEP. REPEAT. …“GOD KNOWS I NEED TO HEAR HIS VOICE MORE THAN I NEED THE FIELD OF GRASS.”
Oh I cried a good cry when I read that last part. God is so kind and has been helping my weary heart so much the past week over our journey to Haiti. His time NOT mine. His plan, NOT mine. He’s in control of when our monthly support will come in so we can move, not me, so He just wants me to trust Him, follow so closely that I hear His voice to know what to do each step at a time….even if it’s just one little tuft of grass at a time. The AMAZING joy and peace He’s given me this week concerning our journey to Haiti is INCREDIBLE. Nothing has changed percentage wise this week but He has worked in my heart and showed me many things to help me in this waiting. He is so good and the time we get to Haiti will be the time He wants and needs us there, to bring Him the most glory! AMEN!!!
To Haiti We Go 