7Journeys Journaling: Day 4--Psalm 23

God is my shepherd. I shall not want.

He brings me to green pastures where I may be fed. He leads me to quiet, cool, peaceful waters where I may drink and not be thirsty.

He makes me whole and new. Because He is glorious, he leads my life towards transformation. My transformation is not for my own good, but so that He may be glorified.

Even though I walk in a broken world and am surrounded by sin and temptation, I will not be afraid. Because God is with me, I will have courage. His rod and His staff--conviction and celebration--both comfort me.

When God redeems me, He guides me...places me at a table with those who have not chosen to put their faith in Him. When I have chosen to stand on God's side, God pushes me to sit and dine with those on the other team. I hope that God then blesses me so that the love and joy I feel in Him may overflow to the cups of those at my table who don't know Him.

Hopefully, goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. Then, my cup will never run dry and I will always have something to pour out on those who would be my enemies.

So that I may help them find greener pastures where they may be fed.

So that I may help them find the cool waters that will never leave them thirsty.

And hopefully afterward, we all may dwell together in my Father's house. Forever in community. Forever in worship. Forever whole.

God will not make my life comfortable, but if I let Him, He will make it holy. God won't let me sit and eat at the greener pastures or drink from the cooler waters while there are others who have not found this place yet.

So, for His glory, we must not always leisure in the greener pastures. Sometimes we have to move. Sometimes we have to break a sweat. For His glory, we are blessed with the task of making sure that every one of us has a chance at the green pastures.