A couple of weeks ago at the Wednesday evening service, Bread for the World, Richard gave a reflection on Psalm 23, a passage many of us are familiar with and have likely heard in a multitude of contexts. After the service, as we always do, we gathered into our lectio listening groups to re-read and reflect on the passage. During the first reading, a specific phrase drew me in: ‘He restores my soul.’
This line made me think about the difference between restoration and renovation. If you’ve ever watched a home improvement show, you know that renovation often involves a complete overhaul—ripping out carpets, gutting entire rooms, and even demolishing walls. It’s about a complete transformation, a move towards something new. Restoration, however, is not about getting rid of something but about getting back to something. It’s a careful, intentional process of preserving and returning an object to its original, beautiful state. It’s about revealing what was always there beneath the layers of time and use.
In the same way, God invites our souls to get back to a place of peace, quiet, and rest. He isn’t asking us to completely gut our lives but to peel back the layers of stress and busyness that have built up. He leads us to still waters and green pastures, places of calm and nourishment. The Psalm paints a picture of a shepherd guiding his sheep, not forcing them, but gently leading them to exactly what they need. And this restoration isn’t just for a quiet moment; it’s a continual invitation, culminating in a meal at his table, a place of provision and belonging right in the midst of our enemies.
Throughout our days and weeks, we are constantly giving of ourselves, in both big and small ways. I know for myself that if I just go, go, go without stopping to pause and rest, I can feel like I’ve lost myself in the relentless pace of life. The busyness, demands, and noise can make us feel disconnected from our true selves, from the peaceful, rested soul God intended for us. Psalm 23 is a profound reminder that we don’t have to stay in that state.
This summer, as we enjoy the gifts it brings, perhaps we can take some time to intentionally read Psalm 23 for ourselves. Let’s not just read it, but truly listen to it. Let’s let the words guide us to those quiet spaces where our souls can be restored. The invitation is always there; we just have to be willing to accept it.
Maddie Naisbitt
