Issue 050
Any day can have its difficult moments; no project or
scheme is without its struggles;every career has its low
points – yet sometimes it gets seriously bad. Some
experiences are really horrible and destructive. There
are periods where we can go through prolonged and
utter despair, when work and life has turned into a
nightmare and we can feel ourselves losing any sense of
control or equilibrium. If you’ve been there, or are
there at the moment, you will know how demotivating,
exhausting and miserable it is. Sometimes we can label it
as depression or burnout but sometimes it is not quite
clear what we should call it. The causes are rarely
simple and invariably multiple. It can have its roots in
our personalities, our own mistakes, illnesses,
disappointments, poor decisions or the actions of
others. Whatever the diagnosis or the symptoms, these
periods feel like a walk in a dark valley. In these times
we can start to fear for our health, our earning capacity,
our career paths or even our lives.
It would be shallow and foolish to propose quick fixes in
an email for such complex and painful experiences, but
nevertheless the shepherd’s psalm gives us some hope.
There is no pleasant way to interpret the phrase, “the
valley of the shadow of death”. It sounds dark, difficult
and treacherous. It invokes images of fear and terror as
well as uncertainty. Yet David says that even here it is
possible not to fear evils – real or imagined. The reason
is simply stated but profoundly experienced – “You are
with me”. When the sheep went through these
dangerous or difficult valleys the shepherd went with
them. The Divine Shepherd is with you, even if you’re in
the valley now. David conjures up in his mind an image
to describe how the Shepherd’s presence is a comfort.
He thinks of the tools of the shepherd’s trade – the rod
and staff. Shepherds use the rod for controlling, guiding,
prodding, protecting or rescuing sheep, it was their all-purpose
sheep management tool. They tended to lean on the staff to support themselves. David imagined a divine version of his own tools used in the hands of his Shepherd-Lord to steer him and comfort him through the valley. He is sure from his own experience that the
Divine Shepherd will be both authoritative and
comforting (as he was with Job) through this difficult
walk.
You can borrow David’s imagery this week if you’re in
the valley, or if you want to try David’s method, ask
yourself what the key tools of your trade are. Maybe
ask the Lord to help you reflect on what the divine
version of those tools would be and to help you see
how they would comfort you in the valley. He may help
you connect your faith with your work. He may help
you see your tools in a new light. He will help you
through the valley.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
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Work well
Geoff Shattock
© Copyright 2024 Geoff Shattock
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