William Butler Yeats, an Irish poet, writer and dramatist once remarked: “We can make our minds so like still water that beings gather about us that they may see, it may be, their own images, and so live for a moment with a clearer, perhaps even with a fiercer life because of our quiet.” Psalm 23:1-3 reminds us: “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.”
Still waters are defined as a part of a stream where no current is visible. It is a quintessential place of stillness, dormancy and often placidity. However, although movement appears motionless, life still exists. Nothing is damaged by the immobility or lack of speed. Stillwaters might be said to be an invitation from God to slow down and perhaps take a step back for the important purposes of reflection, or evaluation. Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
In the hectic rat-race lifestyle of today, speed is considered of the essence. Everything is required at the double, often to the extreme detriment that sometimes exhaustive perception may falter. The true vision of life can become blurred. Time is needed to stand still for the full appreciation of what we already have, or the better things that might be, but they are hard to find. However, necessary if one is to enjoy life to its fullest.
There is a proverb to the effect that: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Work has been said to represent efficiency, but a gluttony for its reward may kill or destroy. Less time cooking that special joint may result in a more succulent and moist dish. Relaxation is essential in life, not only to recharge the batteries, but to provide a longer and more fruitful existence. Unless we are careful, we might tend to overcook the most enjoyable part of life and devoid its nourishment. The more rested we are, the better we may perform and the more prosperity will be achieved. Life shouldn’t be about a continual gain of unnecessary wealth, rather it should be focused on enjoyment. Hosea 6:6 reminds us: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Misguidedness can create the wrong illusion in life. Some view work as a necessary evil. However, work can be divided into two categories: “Work for the needs of God,” and “Work for the needs of ourselves.” These are entirely separate issues. Work for God can be limitless. Work for oneself is deemed to provide food and quality of life, it helps to sustain existence and furnishes a good living standard with perhaps an element of luxury, which can, by itself, be viewed as merit. Conversely, as an antonym, work could be opposed to the true value of still waters, in so much that their existence is intended to provide a source of rest and refreshment from the stresses of labor. An abundance of paid work may be beneficial to the purse strings, but can be detrimental to health. As attractive as still waters might appear, the danger begins when one disregards its representative calmness and dives into it head first without first checking its depth. The stagnant waters that seems so inviting may conceal its own considerable danger, which initiates an additional deepness. It then becomes problematic as the fondness for unnecessary requirement can turn into an evil love. That could become a false entrapment if one views work as the yearning to earn more. The love of money being the root of all evil. 1 Timothy 6:10 confirms “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
However, if we remain in solitude, single-mindedness, and resolute in our selfish desires for wealth, the water may tempt us to enter its attraction for other purposes.
Danger is then infused, because we don’t know what lies beneath the surface. For protection of the unknown, we need to wear a life jacket for the guarantee of survival and remaining afloat. That safety harness can be in the form of God, if we allow it. 1 Peter 3:10-17 reminds us: For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.”
If the wings of an aircraft are removed, then it is impossible for it to fly. If a person tries to do the same thing, he will experience the same result. Life without God could be considered as a life without wings. It could be deemed as a combined entrapment of both temptation and evil. Unless God is present in our life, we walk a tightrope over a deep cavern, continually facing danger and hoping that we don’t fall into the abyss. We don’t possess the necessary wings to help us if we stumble or fall, so we have to be completely reliant on God to lead and guide us to safety, or we have little hope of survival. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Patrick Overton, an American author, educator, community cultural developer and ordained minister once remarked: “When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for you to stand upon or you will be taught to fly.” Isaiah 6:1-7 reminds us: “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts! Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
Being beside the still waters reflects God’s unmeasured safety and reassurance in life. It intimates a hope for the future for all who believe and trust in Him. When He takes us by the hand to lead us, not only do we receive bodily warmth from the connection but the assurance of His love which is provided in abundance and without conditions. Revelation 22:1-5 reminds us: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
Amen.
