Psalms 23:1 reads “The LORD is my shepherd, I have all I need”(NLT), “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (NIV), “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want” (ESV), “The LORD is my shepherd, I have what I need” (CSB).  Regardless of the translation, this is probably one of the most quoted scriptures of all time, frequently recited in all sorts of settings and places. I would go so far as to guess that most of us say these words from memory, without even thinking. Rarely do we stop and actually pay attention to the words that flow so easily out of our mouth. Going even further I’m gonna say many of us church goers and Jesus followers do this exact same thing with much of scripture. We recognize enough of the words or the Bible story so we don’t really read the words, but make the  assumption we know them all and fully understand. Guess what – we don’t! 

We do the same thing when it comes to worship songs. How often do we stand in church services with hands raised, loudly singing  lyrics like “I won’t bow to idols, I’ll stand strong and worship you” (Christ be magnified by Cody Carnes). Only to turn around and almost immediately bow to an idol by picking up our phones, checking email, etc.. Or how about “I’ll follow You anywhere. There’s a million reasons to trust You. Nothing to fear for You are by my side, I’ll follow You anywhere”, “All I want is You Jesus, all I want is You” (Follow you anywhere by Passion). The point is that living the so-called “Christian life” can almost be done on autopilot. Many of us can go through the motions, rarely slowing down, stopping, praying for the focus we need to fully engage with our Savior. 

March was hard for my family as well as for some of my closest friends. The hardness has led to weariness and weariness has led to worry. Personally, that worry has led to second guessing pretty much every decision I’ve made lately. There have been nights when my mind refuses to shut off, making sleep difficult to find. When sleep does come, it is restless and not nearly long enough. Have you ever noticed how susceptible we are to the enemy’s lies when you are tired?! I don’t know how many times I’ve laid awakened trying to figure out what is true and what is a lie. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” Oh how I feel that! One of my prayers has been that we would be quicker to recognize those lies and fight back with scripture. Which is where Psalm 23 comes into play. A few weeks ago I started repeating Psalms 23 in my head when sleep escapes me and my mind is running wild. 

It was a few nights before I started thinking about what the words “The LORD is my shepherd, I have all I need” actually meant. This is where the conviction or question comes into play -if I honestly and truly believe these words deep down in my soul then I have a problem. Because the way I have been living my life, doesn’t match this belief. Let me see if I can explain. 

If I believe that I have all I need in Jesus then why oh why do I continue to live as though I need more? It’s so easy for me/us to start believing and living like we need that promotion, that job, to make X amount of money, that relationship, a perfect marriage and perfect kids, to be the team captain, to be included, etc. The list could go on and on. When we choose to believe and live like this in a sense we are saying “sorry Jesus, I know you died for me and all, but I just need more”. I don’t know about you, but for me this is extremely convicting because that is exactly the way I have been living my life lately. My thoughts, my way, my time all revolving around me trying to force my plan and “fix” situations, explain away emotion, etc.. Which ironically is much of what has been keeping me up at night. Not to mention that this way of thinking and acting doesn’t line up with Jesus being all I need. 

Our pastor once said “Jesus plus + nothing = everything”. Even though this was several years ago, those words have stuck with me and isn’t that basically what Psalm 23:1 is saying? When we start to believe we “need” more, our identity in Jesus gets all messed up and we try to start proving our worth to those around us instead of accepting the worth Jesus has freely given us. Stop and read that last sentence again. When this happens, I tend to start making bad choices and reckless decisions. Which leads to a hard heart and bitter/jealous feelings to those who in my estimation have the perfect life or least have more than I. In Luke 9:23 Jesus tells his followers that if they want to follow him, they’ll need to deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow (my paraphrase). The gospels are full of interactions like this one. Jesus wants our all, our everything. He knows His way, His timing and His callings and plans are best. He calls on us to trust, follow and depend on Him. Matthew 11:28-30 tells us that we are to take His yoke on us, learning from Him, because His yoke is easy and burden is light. And it is there we will find the rest we crave (my paraphrase). 

What does all this mean? I can only answer this question for myself. For me this means scheduling time in my schedule every single week to simply be quiet with God and listen, it means getting back to those things I know he’s called me, not the things I want or have deemed better. It means making time for others – even those I’d prefer to ignore and loving them just like Jesus does. It means offering forgiveness and grace to those I’ve held grudges against. And it means I need to stop and pray before reading God’s word and before I go to church because I admit that my flesh is weak and my heart is fickle. I want and need the Holy Spirit’s help to focus and fully engage with my Savior, Jesus!