Life's Unexpected Teachers

  Have you ever had one of those experiences when life (or God in disguise) taught you something deep and valuable through an unexpected teacher? 


  I grew up as a Pastor's son.  For most of the first 24 years of my life my dad was my pastor, and I used to believe that I could preach several of his messages as well as (or better than) he could - after all, I had heard many of them multiple times.  Those roles were actually reversed in my early 40's when, for a season, I became my mother and father's pastor.  * Talk about pressure!!


  My dad was a great preacher.  He and I were about as different in our communication styles as two people could be, but I still loved to hear him so passionately share God's Word.  But dad passed away at the young age of 72, so for the past 12 1/2 years it has become my responsibility to preach every family funeral in addition to 30+ every year as a pastor.  I have literally written and delivered hundreds of funeral messages over the years - some that were effective - others maybe not so much.


  But one of the most comforting messages I have ever heard in preparing for a funeral was not preached from a pulpit in a church or funeral home chapel, but rather in a living room as a one-on-one conversation.  Oh how I wish I could have had the foresight to have recorded it somehow, but I have learned that, occasionally, God teaches you something deep and valuable through an unexpected teacher.


  I asked, "Is there a particular passage of scripture you would like for me to use tomorrow for the service?  Do you have a favorite biblical story or a specific verse that has personal significance to you?"  And she immediately said, "I love the 23rd Psalm because of the picture that it paints."  Now I knew the 23rd Psalm by heart and could quote it from memory almost without even thinking, but I knew from the tone and inflection of her voice that there was something deeply significant about those familiar verses.


  She began - It starts by identifying the two main characters - the Lord and me.  It assumes that the two of us are in a very personal relationship - one where there is deep love on His part and genuine trust on mine.  The first thing one must see in this picture is that the Lord is leading me, which infers that I am willingly following.  "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.  He guides me in paths of righteousness."  We are on a journey . . . together. 


  Along this journey, there are times when He leads / guides me to places I would not have chosen for myself, and frankly, do not really want to be.  But I trust Him.  And in these difficult places of life, often referred to or understood as valleys, I learn that He is always with me.  "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."  It is reassuring to me to be reminded that the shepherd is leading me, providing for me, guiding me, comforting me and protecting me. 


  By the way, valleys were made for me to pass "through" - not as a place where I am going to stay permanently.  "Even though I walk THROUGH the valley . . . "


  Leading me.  With me.


  The journey is a mixture of joy and grief, of celebration and sorrow.  There are mountaintops and valleys, seasons that are loud and busy balanced by seasons of solitude and silence.  I end up sometimes in places I never thought I would ever be - and that is always for my good, even though it may not "feel" good in that moment.  And along this journey I have learned that the mountain tops are more magnificent and exhilarating because I have the contrast of walking through some valleys.  (I have also come to understand that ALL of the green pastures and still waters are found in valleys).


  But the picture is not yet complete.  The Lord is leading me . . . He is with me . . . and according to Psalm 23:6, Goodness and Mercy have my back!  "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, . . . "  When I see this amazing picture, I feel secure, even in a very unsecure world.  I have an amazing Guide to lead me - an incredible companion who is always with me - and the promise of divine provision following me.  But the best is yet to come!  "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord FOREVER."  Did you catch that?  The best is yet to come!


  I will never forget that "living room lesson."  It is one of the impacting "sermons" I have ever heard, because it reached a very deep place in my heart and taught me very valuable truth I will never forget.  "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."  Thank you Lord for unexpected teachers!