Psalm 23:1

Mercy Hill

Happy New Year! The beginning of a new year symbolizes new possibilities. There isn’t anything magical that happens between December 31st and January 1st, but it is a time when many of us reflect on the previous year and intentionally think about what needs to change in the new year. I think this is a good practice and we would benefit from this type of intentional reflection more often, not less. A new year reminds us that we do have a measure of control over what happens in our lives. We can make better decisions, develop healthier habits, and engage in more productive work.

It’s also good to be reminded in a new year that we are not in complete control over our lives. Much of what happens to us and around us is out of our hands. Our lives are a complex web that include the decisions of others, unexpected circumstances, and ever changing relationships. We need more than just our own good choices - we need a good and trustworthy guide to help us navigate the complexity of our life. We need to make good choices and we need wise leadership.

In Psalm 23, David acknowledges that life is complex- full of hardship and suffering, as well as goodness and blessing. He, using the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep, writes a poem that not only captures the heart of the human condition, but also points us to hope. We can have a good shepherd who walks with us and guides us through every season of our lives.