“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake… You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.” – Psalms 23:2-3, 5

This is one of those familiar passages that, for those growing up in the church, seems almost “cliché” at this point. However, it stuck out to me several times in the last year, for some reason, and, today, I finally figured out why. God was loudly banging cymbals as I read it.

The thing that really stands out to me is the absolute absence of our role in the creation of peace and security. This isn’t about us being in a difficult time and how we overcome the challenges of said time. It isn’t even about requiring us to rely on God, to pray more, to do something. This is about what God does for us—in bad times AND good, in everyday life—without requiring anything of us. He MAKES us lie down; He LEADS; He RESTORES; He PREPARES; He ANOINTS. He is the PEACEMAKER. If we want our cup to overflow, it starts with Him, NOT US.

At Saturday Mass, the homily focused on how Satan creates despair, wants us to be hopeless. Christ keeps the flame of hope alive! At today’s church service, the sermon focused on how peace starts with God, with growing our relationship with him. We must be invested in Him to be at peace.

All of this goes back to Jesus as the good shepherd. The sheep are not in charge at the farm; they are wayward children who need a shepherd to guide them, to feed them, to provide. Relying on Christ is the ONLY option if you want peace. Anything else doesn’t work. We are given clear direction, in this Psalm, that He MAKES us rest, not that He simply makes it possible for us to rest. Everything is in His control, even something that seems as “easy” as getting rest, being at peace.

What brings peace then? Giving up your control, your power, your desire to be in charge. NOTHING in life will give you peace long term except for a total reliance on Christ. Honestly, not being in charge of your own life, your own rest, your own decisions, is so relieving. Earlier this year, God’s voice kept telling me to “let go.” When I finally did, NOTHING could prevent peace in my soul. Conflict still existed, but it didn’t matter; I had Him—and He is total and complete love and peace perfected. The world cannot provide that level of serenity, comfort, security, harmony, joy, agreement; only the Lord can. 🫳🎤

—M