The Lord Is My Shepherd

The Power of The Holy Spirit

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a retreat with some other men and women from my church. I came home knowing the presence of the Holy Spirit is truly with me, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It was exactly what I needed in this season of my life. 

This weekend was full of opportunities to learn more about Christ and to repent for sins that might be holding me back to living fully in Him. It was also an opportunity to receive prayer and empowering words about my life and who God made me to be. 

While it is hard to share exactly what transpired and all of the ways that God met me this past weekend, I do want to share a verse that was spoken to me. This lady, who I had never met before, doesn’t know my story or my current life situation, said that the Lord put this verse on her heart to give to me. I broke down in tears as she was reading it aloud.

1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD
forever.

Psalm 23

The Holy Spirit is so powerful. The fact that she felt called to share this specific piece of scripture, which spoke to exactly what I am going through, is amazing. The truth is, even though it felt perfect for this season, this scripture is perfect for me to remember my whole life.

The Lord is My Shepherd

I don’t feel like it is coincidental that the name Rachel means “ewe” or “female sheep” and the very first verse in Psalm 23 reminds me that the Lord is my shepherd, and I have all that I need. He is in control and He will guide my life. If I choose to let Him guide me, I will not need anything more than His love and grace. My name, Rachel, is what God has called me to be, a sheep. He wants me to be a sheep that follows and trusts Him. I just need to be willing to let him lead me. 

Rest & Peace

God reassures me that He will lead me to green meadows and peaceful streams. I don’t know about you, but I would love more peace and blessings in my life. God is good and wants good for our lives. He knows what we need and He will help us. I need to seriously stop and consider the opportunity to receive peace and comfort in him if I trust in His way.

Renew & Strength

I am reminded in verse 3 that God renews my strength and leads me along the right path to bring honor to His name. This past year has been tough. Between my diagnosis and some other tough life events, there has been a lot of pain and sadness this past year. I feel weak, burnout, and exhausted. I feel a bit guilty about this, but I even asked Mitchell one day why it seems as if we are getting dumped on right now and why can’t God spread this out a bit. And, honestly, there are some days I wonder about God’s long-term plan for my life. What is the plan with all that is happening? What does He want me to do and how does He want me to proceed? This verse hit me really hard. God will renew me and give me strength. God will lead me to the path that is honoring His name. These worries and fears that surround me about if I have enough strength or what my plans are for my life, are lies and doubt that creep in. God knows what He is doing and He will help me. God has a plan in place.

Protection and Comfort

It is inevitable that life will lead us into dark valleys of pain and suffering. God is always with us. God is right next to us comforting us and helping us. God knows and understands our pain and sorrows more than anyone in the world. He paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can be saved and live in heaven with no more pain and suffering. When we enter times of trouble we can be reminded that God is at our side, so we do not need to be afraid. 

Feast & Blessings

My interpretation of this verse is that God has prepared a celebration for us that is coming once we get through those dark valleys. No enemy or evil force can touch us, or scare us, and we will get to feast with Him and receive many blessings. When we trust in Him and follow Him, He wants to celebrate. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a celebration that I want to be at! 

Unfailing Love

God is so good. God pursues me with unfailing love and goodness. UNFAILING LOVE. Love isn’t easy, we mess up, we hurt people, and yet God always loves us. God always forgives us and wants to be with us. Not only does He want to be with us, but He also pursues a relationship with us. God knows that life isn’t easy and that we will have to walk through some dark valleys, but He wants us to trust and follow Him. He is with us all of the days of our lives. 

My Life 

If you have been following my blog, by now you have probably figured out that I struggle with fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of pain, fear of life not turning out the way I dreamed it might. I am working on letting go of the fear and fully trusting God, but it isn’t always easy. I hope that one day, I can read Psalm 23 and confidently say I am letting God lead me, protect me, and celebrate with me. That I am not afraid of the valleys ahead because God will be by my side. That I am finding peace and comfort in the unknown and uncertainties because God knows what is best for my life. God is faithful and will always love me.