Middle of the Pack
Okay, so you never hear someone encourage you to be the one in the middle of the pack, but honestly, that’s my word for you today. Now of course, when you’re in a race, do what Paul says and “run to win,” but what I’m talking about today is positioning yourself completely in the middle of the refuge we have in God.
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If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
-Psalm 91:9-13 (NIV)
-Psalm 91:9-13 (NIV)
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Like the sheep in the herd, the safest place is in the middle of the pack, as close to the shepherd as possible. Predators are always looking for an easy target. They are looking for those sheep who stray away from the shepherd and live on the edge of the herd. This is where we all can become vulnerable to just about anything. Truly, our pride becomes our downfall.
We see this same truth play out in movies all the time. The main character faces a crisis and rather than lean into the protection he or she has in those closest to them, they pull away to handle it on their own. Things usually fall apart from there until they realize their mistake and come back to do what they should have done in the first place. It’s so common that it’s kind of exhausting and irritating to watch.
It’s a popular storyline because it is a popular way to try to live. We are deceived to believe that individual accomplishments somehow mean more than group efforts. To need anyone is weakness, and let’s certainly not talk about needing God… and so the argument goes. It’s all smoke and mirrors.
The safest place you can be is right next to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, surrounded by the flock of those who know what it is to make the Lord their refuge, to dwell in the presence of the Most High. This is the place of our greatest strength.
We see this same truth play out in movies all the time. The main character faces a crisis and rather than lean into the protection he or she has in those closest to them, they pull away to handle it on their own. Things usually fall apart from there until they realize their mistake and come back to do what they should have done in the first place. It’s so common that it’s kind of exhausting and irritating to watch.
It’s a popular storyline because it is a popular way to try to live. We are deceived to believe that individual accomplishments somehow mean more than group efforts. To need anyone is weakness, and let’s certainly not talk about needing God… and so the argument goes. It’s all smoke and mirrors.
The safest place you can be is right next to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, surrounded by the flock of those who know what it is to make the Lord their refuge, to dwell in the presence of the Most High. This is the place of our greatest strength.
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