I envisioned God as a bearded grandpa, in a white robe, sitting on a throne in Heaven. I believed this from pictures I had seen in a book. I perceived God to be separate from me, but knew he loved me.
When understanding the 23rd Psalm by this “God,” someone outside of me, it was hard to internalize the meaning, and know HOW it applied to my life. What did it really mean besides poetic words and something I knew should be important to me, but I couldn’t quite grasp it?
I have come to look at the scriptures in a deeply personal way, not religious but Spiritual. I have come to believe what the Word says about God, that God is “SPIRIT” and must be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth (not as a separate human on a throne). When God is Spirit IN me, then these words come alive, and make sense TO my spirit. They then make sense to my life, too, for labels can separate us, but universal Spiritual truth brings us together as One.
Here is what I heard in the night…Psalm 23
1) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
God is within me – he is Spirit IN ME. So my guide, my shepherd is not separate, but IN ME. God needs nothing, so in that belief, I know I have everything I need.
2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Oh, how beautiful to KNOW I am part of everything that IS… to breathe and relax in that knowing — I can rest and listen, for the waters are calm, and I can drink from them in peace. I can also trust my intuition, for God is Spirit IN ME.
3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
In prayer, believing, I am renewed every day — Spirit, Mind, Body. Creation is mine and I am Creations. It is the path I walk toward the Light — Father, Son, Holy Spirit, righteousness, and it is Spirit IN ME. Not of man-made rules — it is Spiritual, yes, of that which IS. It is who I am.
4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Oh, life can be hard and painful, and physical death could await at any turn…. but, I am told 365 times in the Word, “Fear Not,” for God is Spirit IN ME. His armor embraces me, shields me, for my Spirit is protected and eternal. Death, where is thy sting?
5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
I am never alone for God is Spirit IN ME, and the table is set, even before my enemies. For I am strong, I am powerful, I am equipped, I am loved, I am “that,” I am — whatever “that” is. I have been anointed with the oil of protection. And the well-spring of living water has no end for it runs over and over, and never stops.
6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Happiness is mine, joy and peace, goodness and mercy. Though there are ups and downs on the journey, I keep walking, keep stepping, keep believing, receiving faith, walking in self-confidence, and knowing that I am free all the days of my life — however long that will be, for that is what it says. I am loved without condition. I am never afraid, never alone, because I am part of everything, all creation, all the Universe, all that is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, all knowing and all powerful eternal energy, vibration and Spirit that is God, for it is IN ME.
When I became aware of my Spirit… I became a “watcher” of my life. The scales fell from my eyes and my ears opened to not just hear, but to listen. I knew nothing would stand in the way of Creation’s Love, not even me.
The Words of scripture can only be understood in Spirit and in Truth, and not through the minds of man, for that is what it says. One must go sincerely before the Light, get out-of-the-way, tear down the walls and barriers that bind them. One must be transparent and renewed, pouring out and filling up — indeed, it says we must be born again. It is the mystery of Love and Peace, no matter what we believe in. Yeshua (Jesus) did not die a scapegoat so we can skip “working out our salvation.” It says we must work it out, to be born again. It is our daily walk, but we know from the 23rd Psalm that we are not doing it alone for we have God, SPIRIT, IN us.
Words to Spiritually ponder:
1 Corinthians 13:12
John 4:24
1 John 4:4
Philippians 2:12-13
John 3:7-8
1 Corinthians 15:55
Jane L. Fitzpatrick, Writer 