Psalm 91:1 says, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Looking around at church on any given Sunday, I can fall into the trap of believing the weight I am carrying is greater than that of the others sitting and listening to the pastor’s sermon. There are days when I'm fighting through a difficult, heavy, challenging week, and I'm focused on all of my pain and struggle. It's easy to get lost in my own negative, fear-based thoughts and think the rest of the world doesn't know or understand my shame.
A friend came to visit me when I was in the hospital several years ago. When I was sharing my emotional pain with her, she stopped me, saying, "Chrissanne, you know, we all walk around with our own version of our own shame. It doesn't matter what we've done in our lives; we all feel shame." That conversation has stayed with me for over 2 years. I recently passed it on to another friend, who is navigating the process of healing from his own shame. We don't need to compare the valleys of our lives. There's no medal of honor for the one with the worst stories. God doesn't keep track of how many times we've failed. He only cares that we continue to come to Him for everything.
After church this Sunday, I went on a walk with a friend. We walked and talked through some challenges each of us were dealing with. It was hot. As we were on the final stretch of our walk, we arrived at a huge tree with a nice shade, and it felt good to stop and rest for a few moments.
It made me think of the presence of God. That shade never moved. We moved toward it, in order to experience it. It was there for whoever passed by. But most of the time, it probably wasn't even noticed. Only in the heat of a hot summer day, when the sun was in that particular position, and we were getting to the end of our road, did we look for the shade that would give us some reprieve from the heat.
I think this verse is like that. Whoever—emphasis on whoever—dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Even me, especially me.
And also you, especially you.
The shade, just like God, isn't going to play favorites. When we're in the heat of our lives and need the shade of His grace, it is there for us, no matter what season, no matter the level of shelter we are seeking, no matter how deep the valley we are in.
While we're so far into our own lives, God is waiting for us to invite Him into our challenge. To look up and see His shade. We can find His shadow to shelter us, whether we're in a moment of pain or in a moment of praise.
Whether we're starting out on our own walk or we've been toiling in the sun all day, He's there to shelter us.
And the thing is, we don't have to do anything more than stand in that moment and let Him provide us with the shade we need.
Questions:
What burdens are you carrying alone?
What would it feel like to stop and rest in His grace for a moment?
Are you mindful of His presence, or are you walking through life on your own?
Prayer Promptings:
Pray for God to join you in your struggles and help you feel His presence.
Pray for those carrying burdens and feeling alone.
Ask for God’s continued blessings in your life, even if you currently feel lost in a valley.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I don’t always seek Your shelter or acknowledge the many blessings You provide, and I realize many of the blessings you have provided to me often go unnoticed. Help me to find Your shade and shelter in the valleys. Help me to see Your love in the faces of those carrying their own burdens. I pray that everyone I meet today sees the light in me as a reflection of Your perfect love. Amen.
