This summer I sensed an invitation to revisit books, projects, activities I've loved in the past. Painting is always a joy, but so is creating. I started playing with creating flowers out of paper and making a art/memory journal.
Another revisit is a deep dive again into Psalm 23, always a favorite. This psalm captivated me several years ago and once again, I felt the drawing of the illustration of Good Shepherd and sheep.
The beautiful, powerful psalm that never gets old. Instead, it seems to expand in its teaching the deeper it sinks into my soul. Many people think this is a psalm of comfort and yes, it is.
And it is.
But Psalm 23 is so much more.
This psalm is full of action and drama. Psalm 23 is a picture of a rescuer and a sheep in need of rescue, of dangerous twists and turns, and a guiding light to get the sheep through close encounters with death and danger.
There are narrow escapes and the promise of goodness and mercy wrapping around the sheep no matter what happens.
Psalm 23 reminds us that, actually, hard times and predators are a guarantee of life. We will need, sometimes desperately, the goodness and mercy of God.
Sometimes books fall off my bookshelf, quite literally. This year, I was doing a deep clean, dusting and wiping down all my window sills and book cases when I came across a small book I read before putting together "Pray and Paint through Psalm 23" titled, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller. What perfect timing as the psalm is much on my heart and mind.
Insights from a Pastor Who Worked as A Shepherd
Mr. Keller worked as a shepherd for many years. He also worked as a pastor, giving him insight into both shepherding sheep and people! His insights and perspective, both literally and in his pastoral work illuminates the psalm is ways I've never thought of. The re-read is filling my heart in so many ways.
One of my favorite chapters is He Restores My Soul where Mr. Keller describes sheep that need restoring. Apparently, the poor little guys can get themselves into quite the pickle when trying to find a comfy place to rest.
They'll unintentionally roll onto their backs with their legs and feet stuck in the air, unable to get themselves right side up again until their shepherd comes to restore them to their feet.
Goodness, this sounds like me, getting myself into all sorts of scrapes and unable to get right side up again!
In the second to last chapter of the book, Mr. Keller talks about the blessing of the sheep to the Shepherd.
As the shepherd does all the work to care carefully for his sheep, the sheep end up leaving a trail of "mercy and goodness" on their own. Living under the care and guidance of the Good Shepherd, the sheep leave a blessing.
Apparently, sheep eat all sorts of brush and greenery that other animals can't (or won't?) and can clear an area of weeds and other bushes that can actually thwart the health of the land. From Mr. Keller:
It is worth reiterating at this point that sheep can, under mismanagement, be the most destructive livestock. In short order they can ruin and ravage a land almost beyond remedy. But in bold contrast , they can, on the other hand, be the most beneficial of all livestock if properly managed.
...In my own experience as a sheep rancher, I have, in just a few years seen two derelict ranches restored to high productivity and usefulness. More than this, what before had appeared as depressing eyesores became beautiful, park-like properties of immense worth. Where previously there had been only poverty and pathetic waste, there now followed flourishing fields and rich abundance.
(A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, page157, 158-159, emphasis mine)
Mr. Keller brings the point home.
In other words, goodness and mercy had followed my flocks. They left behind them something worthwhile, productive, beautiful, and beneficial to both themselves, others, and me...The question now came to me pointedly: Is this true of my life? Do I leave a blessing and benediction behind me? (p. 159)
In several portions of the New Testament, the point is made explicitly that a goal of all of our lives is maturity. To become that beautiful oak tree, the house built on the rock, the faithful servant. (Colossians 2:6, 19; Philippians 2:12-14; Ephesians 4:16; Hebrews 5:14).
Psalm 23 does a full circle in its illustration. Christ sends out his mercy and goodness after us, working all things out in our lives. As a result, we should leave a trail of goodness and mercy for others, a sweet aroma, a life that is a blessing.
Naturally, this a great moment for heart reflection, isn't it? All of us want to leave a trail of mercy and grace, blessing and kindness, a spirit of thankfulness. There's too many times to count when my attitude and words have not been a blessing! Help me, Jesus!
All of this reading and thinking and re-reading Psalm 23 inspired me to pick up the paintbrushes again and create an image of those sheep in Psalm 23.
In Pray and Paint through Psalm 23, it was from a floral artists' perspective. We only painted flowers. But in this season of life, I wanted to add something more.
Sheep are not as easy to paint as flowers -in my opinion - but in working out these paintings, my heart and mind thought and prayed through the verses and the insights Mr. Keller shared as a shepherd.
I've included an additional workshop in the online course. If you have it, it's already inside the course home. If not, maybe this summer, you'd like to branch out into something new and paint a few sheep with me as we dive deeper into Psalm 23, again. You can
see more here or click the button below.
There's still several weeks of summer left. If you're looking for a book to read to encourage your faith, I highly encourage W. Phillip Keller's small and insightful book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. It's a great accompaniment to meditating and praying through the most beloved psalm.
