Beside Still Waters

I’ve always desired safety. As an Enneagram Type Six, our basic desire is to have security and support. Our basic fear is being without help or guidance. We desire uniformity and tradition and value intimacy and relationships. We base many things on our commitment to loyalty. But as life progresses, we Type Sixes, like many other people, realize that life isn’t safe. In fact, life can at times seem really scary. And as someone who always seeks to live in comfort, I’ve realized that deep learning and development often doesn’t happen when we’re comfortable. When we become comfortable and can be more incentivized to expand our horizons and seek new opportunities, we have to realize that at some point we had to lean into the discomfort before we became acclimated to our circumstances. At some point we had to trust in the unknown. At some point we were possibly filled with doubt and confusion, and what seemed like so many questions. Some of us may still be at one of these points. But there’s one point on the journey towards deep understanding that isn’t as intimidating as these others. In fact it’s calm, peaceful, and translucent. It allows for meditation, deep breathing, rest, and room for learning. It has been what the Psalmist describes as “Beside still waters” (Psalm 23 NRSV).

Some of you may have seen that it has been a few months since I have written my last blog post. I have gone through a journey and sometimes have wrestled with God, as I learn how to navigate towards a life more based on authenticity and vulnerability. I would describe it as how Donald Miller puts it: to become a better version of oneself. As one seeks the ins and outs of who they are, who they’re meant to be, and what purpose they are meant to serve, they also become aware of strengths and weaknesses, accomplishments and shortfalls. To become a better version of oneself is in essence, to embrace fully who we are in every way. The great thing about becoming oneself is that we often get the opportunity to be reminded of our beauty and potential, so we can start investing and supporting in helping others realize the same thing. The occasions that bring opportunity to be reminded of our beauty, are often the moments where we encounter God: sitting beside still waters. Psalm 23 describes the intention of God leading his children beside still waters for the purpose of the restoration of one’s soul. It is beside still waters where we reflect on the vast beauty of creation, listen to the peace and tranquility of our surroundings, and be mindful of everything in the present moment. It is a time of rest and reflection, as the chaos and brokenness of the world cannot creep in, because we are blessed with the presence of the father. And even in the father’s presence, these still waters may look different for each and every one of us. But we find the point where we experience God because we realize that the power of love reminds us of who we are and what we are meant to be. For me personally, the moments that I had been lost in the wilderness, searching for God in my life, were the moments that I didn’t understand that He was right next to me. God had never left. I couldn’t find God because I was searching for the wrong things. My compass didn’t lead me in the right direction, because it had no direction. Yet the intention of God to meet me right where I was, in the midst of my journey towards becoming the best version of who God made me to be, was a display of God’s recurring promise that he is present at all times because he loves at all times.

You see, the great thing about love is that it has the ability to provide comfort during uncertainty. Love cannot be confined to one thing because love transcends everything. God leads us beside still waters because it is at the stillness of the moment where we feel God’s love. It is not the promise of granting our wishes that God is focused on. It is the revealing of the truth that lies within you: that you were formed in a certain image, molded a certain way, and blessed with a distinct purpose out of God’s love for humanity, and specifically you. So even if we desire safety, go on a journey of self-discovery, wander into the wilderness, or battle against a trial or tribulation, we must take heart in knowing that the moments we are led beside still waters are moments where we encounter divine unconditional love. If the ultimate goal of our time here is for the preservation of God’s Kingdom, then the focal point must be love. For love is found when “He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.”

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters;

3 he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I fear no evil;

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

my whole life long.