“Keep Looking…”

(A reminder for myself--and possibly you?)

I recently purchased a condo in Santa Fe, NM (my first home, as a single woman--super exciting!), and so am deep in the throes of unpacking. I just said to one of my sons this morning, “I guess I have it [the thing he was asking for] somewhere, but I have no idea where!” 

Since all of my worldly goods are here with me, I trust I’ll stumble upon the thing at some point. I’ll just have to keep my eyes open. I’ll just have to keep looking.

Like the psalmist, who kept looking for God. (Psalm 59:9)

In the time of the writing of this psalm, the author felt as though he was surrounded by “enemies” and “evildoers,” “powerful people” who were “attacking [him],” “growling like dogs, [and] prowling around the city” (Psalm 59:2, 3, 6).

Then, in the midst of the chaos, in the midst of his distress, he cried out to God.  

At one point--understandably!--he simply pleaded for God to notice what was going on: “Get up..! Look at what’s happening!...Wake up!” (Ps. 59:4-5)

Then he described some of the horrors around him, justifying his plea, explaining his plight. 

And then--perhaps as much a reminder to himself as an assurance to God--he confirmed, “I keep looking for you, my strength, because God is my stronghold.” (Ps. 59:9)

In the midst of the chaos, he reminded himself: I keep looking for God.

In the midst of his distress, he re-centered himself: I keep looking for God.

In the midst of fear and overwhelm and enemies, he re-claimed his orientation: I keep looking for God.

…because God is his strength, his security, his shelter.

God is his strength, his security, shelter.

And he believes, he trusts, he knows, this: “My loving God will come to meet me.” (Ps. 59:10)

I’m not only surrounded by boxes, but occasionally feel as though I’m surrounded by the “enemies” of worry and doubt… 

Yes, there seem to be “evildoers” out there in the world--but I’ve also been known to experience powerful and destructive voices of anxiety and fear within my spirit…

And all the neighborhood dogs I’ve met so far--thankfully--have not been growling or prowling, but have been sweet and friendly. But there are those things that growl and prowl in the recesses of my soul…

In the midst of the chaos, may I, like the psalmist, remind myself to keep looking for God.

In the midst of distress, may I, like the psalmist, re-center myself, and keep looking for God.

In the midst of fear and overwhelm and enemies, whether within or without, may I, like the psalmist, re-claim my orientation, and keep looking for God.

…because God is my strength, too, and my security, and my shelter.

God is my strength, and my security, and my shelter.

And because I, too, believe--I, too, trust--I, too, know--this: “My loving God will come to meet me.” (Ps. 59:10)

May it be so for me. And perhaps…for you, too.

Amen. And amen.

And please, God, may I find the thing! :)