I pondered whether David could have had even the tiniest hint of what our technological and fast paced culture would be like when he wrote the 23rd Psalm. Two phrases jumped out as I did my morning reading: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters.” There is not even the slightest hint of an invitation in  the Divine’s voice asking, “Would you like to rest? Do you think it would be nice to lie down or just have a quiet sip of water?” Nope, no hint at all of an invitation, suggestion, or even a “take as needed” prescription. Such a contrast to our technological, social media, pharmaceutical, and consumerist culture which creates the image in our minds that without this or that we cannot be sexy, loved, beautiful, whole, successful,…. you name the adjective. Nope, not even a sliver of suggestion or invitation. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters.” In other words, a command.

Such a frantic day at work. Surely no time to heed such a command. Working on the computer and wolfing down crackers during my lunch hour was all I could do. Then quietly, but ever so strong, the whisper said, “Look!” I turned my head towards my window and the deer greeted my eyes with her gentle stroll. Maybe, I pondered, what I consider challenges, uphill climbs, speed bumps or orange cones littering Life’s highway, are really the command to lie down in green pastures and watch the clouds. To walk beside the still waters. I took a sip of coffee and walked outside. All else could wait. I embraced the command.