As with many of the exercises I offer, this one uses a well known Psalm to help us focus on our relationship with God. It was written by a shepherd who lived outside for much of his life, this affects the imagery that he uses and his awareness of his heritage is also revealed in his narrative.
You are probably not a shepherd, so it’s quite likely that the places that you love and enjoy, the places which inspire your soul, will be different to those of the psalmist. But we can use his format as a guide to our thoughts, to help us consider how we have seen God in the past, and how we see him now. I encourage you, as you use these suggestions, not to try and say the ‘right’ thing, or to come up with acceptable images, but to be honest. Sometimes God seems achingly distant, sometimes very confusing, as well as those times when there is a deep sense of love and faithfulness. Whilst some of these are more comfortable, none is better or right, they simply describe where you find yourself. Be as honest about your perceptions as you can be; where you are is where you are!
You may find that what follows is enough for several times of contemplation, or you may feel that you want to spend longer and work through all the suggestions at one sitting. Work at your own speed, don’t feel any need to get to the end until you are ready. The second suggestion contains questions that you might want to consider a few at a time or you might want to work through them all in one sitting; some questions may not resonate with you – feel free to move on – there is no ‘right’ way.
Before you begin, it is always helpful to slow yourself down and become present. So, when you are ready a few deep breaths usually help this process. Often at this point something will happen to draw your attention – a sound from outside, or a memory of something that you need to remember to do. Don’t worry about this, it happens to us all, but try not to be drawn into it; if it helps write the ‘to do’ task down, but bring your attention back to your breathing. Let your shoulders fall and your body relax as you breathe out.
Suggestion 1
When you feel settled take some time to read steadily through Psalm 121. If you have time, read it through more than once.
Then, read it through again, changing the pronouns so that all of the Psalm reads from your point of view, for example change ‘He will not let your foot be moved’, to ‘He will not let my foot be moved.’ Keep going with this change all the way through – ‘The Lord is my keeper’ …
How does this sit with you?
Can you allow these words to be true for you?
What does that feel like?
How do you react?
Suggestion 2
A different approach would be to ponder some questions drawn from the text. Use them as prompts; write down your responses and thoughts if you find that helpful. Allow your own questions to surface.
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From whence does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Where do I turn my eyes (the attention of my heart?)
Where do I go (either literally or in my mind) to refocus on Who matters?
What do I need to remember?
He will not let your foot be moved,
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
How have I seen God in the past?
Where and in whom have I seen God’s faithfulness?
What aspects of God’s faithfulness have I seen?
The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade
on your right hand.
The sun shall not smite you by day,
nor the moon by night.
How would I describe God at this time? The Lord is my ……. ?
What do I know to be true of God?
Which aspect of who he is means the most to me right now?
The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and for evermore.
Resting on what I know of God and his faithfulness, what words would I use here – the Lord will …… ?
What will I trust him with in the coming days?
Which of His promises resonate with my current circumstances?
Stay a little longer than you might initially want to.
Re-read the psalm and your own responses to it. What do you notice?
Does anything surprise you?
Resist the urge to edit too much.
Thank God for any insights gained.