What Quarantine Taught Me: Part 1

When I was in second grade my grandma made a deal with me. She said if I memorized Psalm 23 and could repeat it to her over the phone without looking at my Bible she would mail me a $20 check. It may not seem like much now, but at the time getting $20 was like hitting the jackpot! Honestly, I don’t remember ever understanding what Psalm 23 was trying to say, I just wanted the check. Awful, I know. But things have changed since 2nd grade and boy has God been revealing so much to me from that Psalm. 

If you aren’t familiar with the chapter, here’s what it says:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

    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.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

    I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

    your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

    my cup overflows.

Surely  goodness and mercy shall follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

    Forever. 

Beautiful, yeah?

I often find myself reading the book of Psalms for encouragement. It was about the 3rd day of being home in quarantine when I flipped to Psalm 23. I laughed because of the memory I had memorizing it in exchange for money, but this time I couldn’t get past the 2nd verse. 

“He makes me lie down in green pastures”

I guess in my head I always thought that was a suggestion. That God “suggests” we lie down or gives us the option to. But that’s not what it says at all. It says he makes us lie down. In reflection of the last few months there were little times where I sought after rest. The more that I immerse myself in the hustle culture of constantly having to create, connect and cram the further away I get from the picture that’s painted in Psalm 23. 

I’m not saying we shouldn’t work hard or go after our dreams, but I am saying that we should recognize rest as holy. I am saying maybe it’s time to stop putting ourselves above God. I am guilty of seeing rest as a suggestion, and maybe you are too. But here I find myself in the beginning of spring, quarantined at home, taking walks outside beside still waters and being forced into a time of complete rest. I’m repeating the words echoed from the Psalm to myself so loud, yet so soft saying, “lie down.”

If you identify with putting more on your plate than you can handle, or scheduling your life in 15 minute increments maybe it’s time you lie down too. Space, quiet and no plans will only happen if you make the decision not to create noise or fill your calendar.

I’ve been spreading myself thin and calling it purpose. I don’t think Jesus did that. 

That’s what I’ve been learning. I’m still unpacking it, and I realize not all of it should be shared across social media platforms, but I thought someone could use this too. It’s not from me to start with. I would love to hear what you’re learning if you’re open to share it. Praying for what COVID19 means for you.