A modern pursuit of the lost sheep
Lost in the wilderness. In desperate need of a rescuer. But how modern Christianity puts the lost sheep in the center of the stage demanding a rescue plan to fit their selfish needs instead of pointing the sheep to a submissive reliance on their One True Shepherd.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
— Psalm 23:1
Today, Christians all over the worlds and especially in the churches influenced the the West, are "sure" about how their relationship with God works. They believe that He as a good shepherd should fulfill all their "needs".
Although it's been a while since some Christians realized that we were never given the authority to determine1 what God should do for us on this life (often times to make it easier or more pleasant) not only in the material possessions aspect of it, but also in the spiritual aspects, still many Christians believe (and "preachers" preach) this psalm as if it is all about how God can and should bless us with - money, health, intelligence, wisdom, friends, success, fame, power, authority, etc.
for You are with me.
— Psalm 23:4b
When David writes this psalm, he was most likely on the run. He was running away from Saul's persecution. This psalm is preceded and superseded by other two psalms that exalt the Lord as a powerful and sovereign God.
Again, the most popular interpretations and teachings of this text leads believers to think they are in the spotlight here, as if David was the main character preparing himself for the battle to annihilate Saul once and for all. Far from it, here God is not giving us magical power and magical weapons or turning us into super heroes to win every battle and conquer2 everything and anything we want. Instead, reading through this psalm we realize that by leading us beside still waters, restoring our souls, in paths of righteousness, He is calling us to look through His perspective, to look at Him only and not the opposite, for His name's sake not ours.
Still, all the challenges of this life, the valleys of the shadow of death, the imminent presence of evil, they are nothing before God. He guides us and protects us.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
— Psalm 23:5
Another misinterpretation about this psalm on the verse 5 makes churchgoers believe God is delivering our enemies in our hands and that we will be empowered, as heavenly Champions, to easily defeat them. This false teaching couldn't be farther from the true meaning of this text.
In fact, it is God alone who defeats evil and gives us the privilege to have a seat at His victory table, to eat and rejoice without fear, enjoying of His goodness and mercy in His presence forever.
We must stop thinking we are "the last cookie of the package", the most precious sheep in the herd, and start submitting ourselves to His guidance and allowing Him to shepherd us, which means submitting to His agenda and forget about ours.
Lord, I submit my life to You and am thankful for Your goodness and mercy. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. Amen.