He Restores the Soul

As we are teased with hints of the fall season, do you hear the mountains calling? The vibrant and muted fall colors will soon emerge and many will take-to-the-roads to enjoy their beauty! One of my favorite sights are the valleys between the mountains. Perhaps I'm drawn to them as because we've just come down a steep grade and soon to begin yet another climb. David's words from Psalm 23 resonate with me - "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul" (Verses 2-3a ESV). Our cars are well-equipped for those mountain roads - automatically shifting between low and high gears. Our souls, however ... not so much. We are desperately in need of The Great Shepherd Who knows every struggle of the human soul, the lack of strength and stamina to persevere in the ups and downs of our lives. Arthur Bennett (1915-1994), an English-born minister who studied the work of the Puritans, compiled and published a book of prayers based on Puritan meditations. In his introductory poem, "The Valley of Vision," these words are often my own personal prayer: "Let me learn ... that the way down is the way up - that to be low is to be high - the broken heart is the healed heart - to have nothing is to possess all - to bear the cross is to wear the crown - to give is to receive - that the valley is the place of vision." Those mountain valleys invite me into their peacefulness and serenity, much like The Shepherd welcomes me into His Presence. Are you coming down from a mountainous descent? Is there an intimidating mountain looming ahead of you? Pause. Remember. Take heart. The valley is where ... He restores the soul.