When God makes you stop | Psalm 23

Hey, I'm Chuck. I'm Meech. Hey, I'm Chuck. I'm Meech. >> I'm Danny. >> I'm Danny. >> I'm Danny. >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Chris. >> I'm Chris. >> And today we are talking about, man, if >> And today we are talking about, man, if >> And today we are talking about, man, if there's any part of the Bible, like there's any part of the Bible, like there's any part of the Bible, like average Joe on the street probably knows average Joe on the street probably knows average Joe on the street probably knows it is at least in the Bible, may even it is at least in the Bible, may even it is at least in the Bible, may even know some of the words to it, it's what know some of the words to it, it's what know some of the words to it, it's what we read today. It's Psalm 23. The Lord we read today. It's Psalm 23. The Lord we read today. It's Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd. is my shepherd. is my shepherd. >> And so, I want to start in a unique >> And so, I want to start in a unique >> And so, I want to start in a unique place. I mean, there's lots of things we place. I mean, there's lots of things we place. I mean, there's lots of things we can say about Psalm 23, but he talks can say about Psalm 23, but he talks can say about Psalm 23, but he talks about the valley, which means that a about the valley, which means that a about the valley, which means that a good shepherd doesn't keep us out of the good shepherd doesn't keep us out of the good shepherd doesn't keep us out of the valley. Sometimes we have to go through valley. Sometimes we have to go through valley. Sometimes we have to go through the valley. So, tell me about a time the valley. So, tell me about a time the valley. So, tell me about a time when you've been in a valley and what when you've been in a valley and what when you've been in a valley and what kept you moving forward. kept you moving forward. kept you moving forward. >> Yeah, th this scripture was I didn't >> Yeah, th this scripture was I didn't >> Yeah, th this scripture was I didn't grow up in the church grow up in the church grow up in the church >> and I knew this scripture without >> and I knew this scripture without >> and I knew this scripture without knowing it was Psalm 23 because of knowing it was Psalm 23 because of knowing it was Psalm 23 because of movies and stuff, you know, it's really movies and stuff, you know, it's really movies and stuff, you know, it's really quotable and easy to put in, you know, quotable and easy to put in, you know, quotable and easy to put in, you know, >> great. But for me it's honestly it's not >> great. But for me it's honestly it's not >> great. But for me it's honestly it's not like moments of like deep despair. like moments of like deep despair. like moments of like deep despair. It was moment looking back at my life, It was moment looking back at my life, It was moment looking back at my life, it was moments of like stagnation, just it was moments of like stagnation, just it was moments of like stagnation, just felt like nothingness. And like most felt like nothingness. And like most felt like nothingness. And like most recently, it was um recently, it was um recently, it was um >> when I left uh a different job that I >> when I left uh a different job that I >> when I left uh a different job that I like like like invested a lot, literally money to start invested a lot, literally money to start invested a lot, literally money to start at this company. Um time, energy, just at this company. Um time, energy, just at this company. Um time, energy, just like myself and identity to join this like myself and identity to join this like myself and identity to join this place that I was at. And I ended up place that I was at. And I ended up place that I was at. And I ended up leaving it for other circumstances. And leaving it for other circumstances. And leaving it for other circumstances. And it was totally good. And I went to it was totally good. And I went to it was totally good. And I went to something where like literally it was something where like literally it was something where like literally it was just for me to recoup, re-energize, and just for me to recoup, re-energize, and just for me to recoup, re-energize, and just relax for a bit. And in that time just relax for a bit. And in that time just relax for a bit. And in that time when I was at this different job, I just when I was at this different job, I just when I was at this different job, I just experienced a lot of like nothingness experienced a lot of like nothingness experienced a lot of like nothingness and stagnation and just like this loss

and stagnation and just like this loss and stagnation and just like this loss of identity. of identity. of identity. >> And it felt like I was just going >> And it felt like I was just going >> And it felt like I was just going nowhere. And during that time, I felt nowhere. And during that time, I felt nowhere. And during that time, I felt that valley. I think God sustained me by that valley. I think God sustained me by that valley. I think God sustained me by one reminding me of that he's always one reminding me of that he's always one reminding me of that he's always with me and two by pulling me out of the with me and two by pulling me out of the with me and two by pulling me out of the valley eventually. valley eventually. valley eventually. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Um >> Um >> it's good. >> it's good. >> it's good. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I got some despair >> I got some despair >> I got some despair >> I can share. [laughter] >> I can share. [laughter] >> I can share. [laughter] >> I depression has always been thing my >> I depression has always been thing my >> I depression has always been thing my family and that I've wrestled with. And family and that I've wrestled with. And family and that I've wrestled with. And in college I would say it was at its in college I would say it was at its in college I would say it was at its apex like apex like apex like >> you know I'm taking drives just to like >> you know I'm taking drives just to like >> you know I'm taking drives just to like not have to sit at home in my own not have to sit at home in my own not have to sit at home in my own thoughts sort of thing. And I remember thoughts sort of thing. And I remember thoughts sort of thing. And I remember one night I ended up like in a bank one night I ended up like in a bank one night I ended up like in a bank parking lot just cuz I just wanted to parking lot just cuz I just wanted to parking lot just cuz I just wanted to stop driving for a second and I'm just stop driving for a second and I'm just stop driving for a second and I'm just like I'm wallowing. I'm thinking about like I'm wallowing. I'm thinking about like I'm wallowing. I'm thinking about everything and this cop pulls up beside everything and this cop pulls up beside everything and this cop pulls up beside me and he's like asking if I'm okay. me and he's like asking if I'm okay. me and he's like asking if I'm okay. He's like do you need to come sit in my He's like do you need to come sit in my He's like do you need to come sit in my car for a second? I'm like no I'm good. car for a second? I'm like no I'm good. car for a second? I'm like no I'm good. And then he leaves and I was like oh he And then he leaves and I was like oh he And then he leaves and I was like oh he was like making sure I was like good. was like making sure I was like good. was like making sure I was like good. [clears throat] And that was like this [clears throat] And that was like this [clears throat] And that was like this wakeup call of like okay I'm like I wakeup call of like okay I'm like I wakeup call of like okay I'm like I didn't realize like this all felt normal didn't realize like this all felt normal didn't realize like this all felt normal to me to some extent. And I remember I to me to some extent. And I remember I to me to some extent. And I remember I just for some reason started to bring just for some reason started to bring just for some reason started to bring people into this journey with me and people into this journey with me and people into this journey with me and just let them in on what I was feeling.

just let them in on what I was feeling. just let them in on what I was feeling. And I feel like that is where I started And I feel like that is where I started And I feel like that is where I started to find some healing was just like to find some healing was just like to find some healing was just like people being present and like reminding people being present and like reminding people being present and like reminding me of truths that like yeah I could me of truths that like yeah I could me of truths that like yeah I could quote this scripture but like I didn't quote this scripture but like I didn't quote this scripture but like I didn't I'm it's only an echo chamber in my own I'm it's only an echo chamber in my own I'm it's only an echo chamber in my own head about it. like having people around head about it. like having people around head about it. like having people around me that were reminding me of of truths me that were reminding me of of truths me that were reminding me of of truths and just bringing that towards the and just bringing that towards the and just bringing that towards the surface and not just being contained surface and not just being contained surface and not just being contained like to know I'm not alone was a big like to know I'm not alone was a big like to know I'm not alone was a big thing for me. thing for me. thing for me. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You know, when I think about the >> Yeah. You know, when I think about the >> Yeah. You know, when I think about the valley, I think [clears throat] about valley, I think [clears throat] about valley, I think [clears throat] about the times in my life where I've been in the times in my life where I've been in the times in my life where I've been in the valley and you know, one that I the valley and you know, one that I the valley and you know, one that I mean, there's lots, but one that comes mean, there's lots, but one that comes mean, there's lots, but one that comes to mind is just, you know, same thing to mind is just, you know, same thing to mind is just, you know, same thing you talked about being in an you talked about being in an you talked about being in an organization, helping to start an organization, helping to start an organization, helping to start an organization and really going through a organization and really going through a organization and really going through a painful painful time of lots of um painful painful time of lots of um painful painful time of lots of um organizational pain and people leaving organizational pain and people leaving organizational pain and people leaving and it was it was super super hard. And and it was it was super super hard. And and it was it was super super hard. And the thing I constantly go back to is, the thing I constantly go back to is, the thing I constantly go back to is, you know, God allows us to go through you know, God allows us to go through you know, God allows us to go through the valley because there are some things the valley because there are some things the valley because there are some things we get in the valley that we don't get we get in the valley that we don't get we get in the valley that we don't get on the mountain top. on the mountain top. on the mountain top. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> And he's not as concerned about our >> And he's not as concerned about our >> And he's not as concerned about our comfort comfort comfort >> as he is about making us complete.

>> as he is about making us complete. >> as he is about making us complete. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You know, making us whole. And you know, >> You know, making us whole. And you know, >> You know, making us whole. And you know, there's a level of humility that I now there's a level of humility that I now there's a level of humility that I now have because I went through something have because I went through something have because I went through something hard and realized I had to do a lot of hard and realized I had to do a lot of hard and realized I had to do a lot of self-reflection. There's also a level of self-reflection. There's also a level of self-reflection. There's also a level of reassurance that like, oh, I can go reassurance that like, oh, I can go reassurance that like, oh, I can go through something that feels like it's, through something that feels like it's, through something that feels like it's, you know, existentially the end of a you know, existentially the end of a you know, existentially the end of a thing. thing. thing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um, and God can redeem on the other side >> Um, and God can redeem on the other side >> Um, and God can redeem on the other side of that, too. Right. And I I wouldn't I of that, too. Right. And I I wouldn't I of that, too. Right. And I I wouldn't I wouldn't learn that if it was all up and wouldn't learn that if it was all up and wouldn't learn that if it was all up and to the right every time. And I need to the right every time. And I need to the right every time. And I need those lessons. If even if I don't need those lessons. If even if I don't need those lessons. If even if I don't need them, I need them. I certainly need them, I need them. I certainly need them, I need them. I certainly need them. them. them. >> But, uh, I certainly need to lend them >> But, uh, I certainly need to lend them >> But, uh, I certainly need to lend them to people in my life when they're going to people in my life when they're going to people in my life when they're going through something difficult, too. So, I through something difficult, too. So, I through something difficult, too. So, I just think about that whole idea that, just think about that whole idea that, just think about that whole idea that, you know, the good shepherd takes us you know, the good shepherd takes us you know, the good shepherd takes us through the valley because his goal is through the valley because his goal is through the valley because his goal is not our comfort. It really is making us not our comfort. It really is making us not our comfort. It really is making us complete. complete. complete. >> You guys climbed a mountain before, >> You guys climbed a mountain before, >> You guys climbed a mountain before, Danny. I feel like you probably have. Danny. I feel like you probably have. Danny. I feel like you probably have. >> Yeah, you have. [laughter] >> Yeah, you have. [laughter] >> Yeah, you have. [laughter] >> Multiple mountain, dude. >> Multiple mountain, dude. >> Multiple mountain, dude. >> As a matter of fact, >> As a matter of fact, >> As a matter of fact, >> I like to climb mountain. >> I like to climb mountain. >> I like to climb mountain. >> Hey, you did Lord of the Rings reference >> Hey, you did Lord of the Rings reference >> Hey, you did Lord of the Rings reference through my through my through my >> I'm not going to lose your audience by >> I'm not going to lose your audience by >> I'm not going to lose your audience by nerding out real quick. Sorry. nerding out real quick. Sorry. nerding out real quick. Sorry. [laughter] >> Um, I feel like this is like a per like >> Um, I feel like this is like a per like honestly a perfect analogy, right? I honestly a perfect analogy, right? I honestly a perfect analogy, right? I wish all everything in the Bible wish all everything in the Bible wish all everything in the Bible honestly is, but to like that sentiment.

honestly is, but to like that sentiment. honestly is, but to like that sentiment. I mean, you could speak more to it all I mean, you could speak more to it all I mean, you could speak more to it all and it probably is my guess of like you and it probably is my guess of like you and it probably is my guess of like you have to walk through a valley to get to have to walk through a valley to get to have to walk through a valley to get to even the start of the mountain and then even the start of the mountain and then even the start of the mountain and then climb the whole mountain, which is a climb the whole mountain, which is a climb the whole mountain, which is a whole another thing and you have to come whole another thing and you have to come whole another thing and you have to come down. Like we talked about the mountain down. Like we talked about the mountain down. Like we talked about the mountain top experience, but there's a whole lot top experience, but there's a whole lot top experience, but there's a whole lot before we get there. before we get there. before we get there. >> Yeah. I'll never forget we were at the >> Yeah. I'll never forget we were at the >> Yeah. I'll never forget we were at the top of Mount Doom top of Mount Doom top of Mount Doom >> and uh one of the folks that were on the >> and uh one of the folks that were on the >> and uh one of the folks that were on the in the trip with us, they go, "Well, in the trip with us, they go, "Well, in the trip with us, they go, "Well, it's not over yet. Don't celebrate too it's not over yet. Don't celebrate too it's not over yet. Don't celebrate too much. We got to go back down." I was much. We got to go back down." I was much. We got to go back down." I was like, "Oh [laughter] my gosh. like, "Oh [laughter] my gosh. like, "Oh [laughter] my gosh. We thought we were good, but that's We thought we were good, but that's We thought we were good, but that's right. It's so true. right. It's so true. right. It's so true. >> I know who that person was, [laughter] >> I know who that person was, [laughter] >> I know who that person was, [laughter] too. too. too. >> That person was saying in that moment, >> That person was saying in that moment, >> That person was saying in that moment, >> I feel like I know who that person is. >> I feel like I know who that person is. >> I feel like I know who that person is. [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] >> I totally know who >> I totally know who >> I totally know who I wasn't there. [laughter] I wasn't there. [laughter] I wasn't there. [laughter] >> You know what's interesting about the >> You know what's interesting about the >> You know what's interesting about the the Psalm 23 and something that I saw the Psalm 23 and something that I saw the Psalm 23 and something that I saw probably on Instagram, who knows? But um probably on Instagram, who knows? But um probably on Instagram, who knows? But um shepherds with their flock, they lead shepherds with their flock, they lead shepherds with their flock, they lead their flock. So when you're reading their flock. So when you're reading their flock. So when you're reading Psalm 23, it's the he's leading. The Psalm 23, it's the he's leading. The Psalm 23, it's the he's leading. The Lord is leading us. The good shepherd's Lord is leading us. The good shepherd's Lord is leading us. The good shepherd's leading us. And then when you get to the leading us. And then when you get to the leading us. And then when you get to the valley valley valley >> where the trouble is, >> where the trouble is, >> where the trouble is, >> it it says, "You're with me. Not leading >> it it says, "You're with me. Not leading >> it it says, "You're with me. Not leading me. You're with me." And what shepherds me. You're with me." And what shepherds me. You're with me." And what shepherds do when there's trouble is they actually do when there's trouble is they actually do when there's trouble is they actually drop back into their flock drop back into their flock drop back into their flock >> in the middle >> in the middle >> in the middle >> and get with them.

>> and get with them. >> and get with them. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> Which I didn't realize that that verse >> Which I didn't realize that that verse >> Which I didn't realize that that verse actually was paralleling what a shepherd actually was paralleling what a shepherd actually was paralleling what a shepherd actually does. actually does. actually does. >> Practice shepherd. >> Practice shepherd. >> Practice shepherd. >> And so when you're in that valley or >> And so when you're in that valley or >> And so when you're in that valley or you're experiencing that trouble, you're experiencing that trouble, you're experiencing that trouble, >> it's important to remember like no, >> it's important to remember like no, >> it's important to remember like no, God's with you. He's not in front of God's with you. He's not in front of God's with you. He's not in front of you. He's not out front. He's with you you. He's not out front. He's with you you. He's not out front. He's with you in the midst of all that. in the midst of all that. in the midst of all that. >> What a word. Oh man, such a good word. >> What a word. Oh man, such a good word. >> What a word. Oh man, such a good word. Thank you. [laughter] Thank you. [laughter] Thank you. [laughter] >> Thank you. And so I wish it was. >> Thank you. And so I wish it was. >> Thank you. And so I wish it was. >> So there's lots of metaphors and you >> So there's lots of metaphors and you >> So there's lots of metaphors and you know, lots of images in Psalm 23. know, lots of images in Psalm 23. know, lots of images in Psalm 23. There's the green pastures and still There's the green pastures and still There's the green pastures and still water. There's the valley of the shadow water. There's the valley of the shadow water. There's the valley of the shadow of death. There's the preparing the of death. There's the preparing the of death. There's the preparing the table before me in the presence of table before me in the presence of table before me in the presence of enemies. There's the good I love surely enemies. There's the good I love surely enemies. There's the good I love surely goodness and mercy following you all the goodness and mercy following you all the goodness and mercy following you all the days of your life. So the question is, days of your life. So the question is, days of your life. So the question is, where do you feel like you are right now where do you feel like you are right now where do you feel like you are right now in the Psalm 23 story? Are you in the in the Psalm 23 story? Are you in the in the Psalm 23 story? Are you in the valley? Is God preparing a table for valley? Is God preparing a table for valley? Is God preparing a table for you? Are you in green pastures and still you? Are you in green pastures and still you? Are you in green pastures and still waters? And why? waters? And why? waters? And why? >> I'll say it's preparing the table before >> I'll say it's preparing the table before >> I'll say it's preparing the table before me specifically because I imagine this me specifically because I imagine this me specifically because I imagine this feast all the scriptures after honestly. feast all the scriptures after honestly. feast all the scriptures after honestly. I imagine a feast because my cup I imagine a feast because my cup I imagine a feast because my cup overflows and stuff like that. But I overflows and stuff like that. But I overflows and stuff like that. But I think the Lord is uniquely preparing me think the Lord is uniquely preparing me think the Lord is uniquely preparing me and my family right now to be a host to and my family right now to be a host to and my family right now to be a host to host people in our homes and to have host people in our homes and to have host people in our homes and to have feasts. And so that's a big part of it feasts. And so that's a big part of it feasts. And so that's a big part of it right now. Like we're literally starting right now. Like we're literally starting right now. Like we're literally starting to prepare to do that more. Um, but I to prepare to do that more. Um, but I to prepare to do that more. Um, but I think the goodness of God in the midst think the goodness of God in the midst think the goodness of God in the midst of that is there's actually be actually of that is there's actually be actually of that is there's actually be actually been a lot like this past year and a been a lot like this past year and a been a lot like this past year and a half that the Lord's been preparing our half that the Lord's been preparing our half that the Lord's been preparing our family through hardship, through family through hardship, through family through hardship, through difficulties, through some financial difficulties, through some financial difficulties, through some financial stuff that I think has clearly led us to

stuff that I think has clearly led us to stuff that I think has clearly led us to this moment where we need to invite more this moment where we need to invite more this moment where we need to invite more people into our home. people into our home. people into our home. >> I love that, man. >> I love that, man. >> I love that, man. >> It it almost feels like some of that is >> It it almost feels like some of that is >> It it almost feels like some of that is almost training like he's he's serving almost training like he's he's serving almost training like he's he's serving you you you >> to be like, "Hey, here's how you can >> to be like, "Hey, here's how you can >> to be like, "Hey, here's how you can serve others. serve others. serve others. That's super cool. Yeah, That's super cool. Yeah, That's super cool. Yeah, >> that's really cool. >> that's really cool. >> that's really cool. >> I feel like I'm in the green >> I feel like I'm in the green >> I feel like I'm in the green [clears throat] pastures and still [clears throat] pastures and still [clears throat] pastures and still waters and there's a lot of beauty and waters and there's a lot of beauty and waters and there's a lot of beauty and fun opportunities ahead of me in life fun opportunities ahead of me in life fun opportunities ahead of me in life right now. And my tendency is to be right now. And my tendency is to be right now. And my tendency is to be like, "Thank you, God, for this and I like, "Thank you, God, for this and I like, "Thank you, God, for this and I will see you later." Like, let me take will see you later." Like, let me take will see you later." Like, let me take care of all the good stuff that you care of all the good stuff that you care of all the good stuff that you provided. And provided. And provided. And >> I don't think I've really noticed that >> I don't think I've really noticed that >> I don't think I've really noticed that like that scripture says he makes me lie like that scripture says he makes me lie like that scripture says he makes me lie down in green pastures. Like the way at down in green pastures. Like the way at down in green pastures. Like the way at least I interpret I'm like I'm my least I interpret I'm like I'm my least I interpret I'm like I'm my tendency is to run off and be like tendency is to run off and be like tendency is to run off and be like thanks for all the stuff you made God. thanks for all the stuff you made God. thanks for all the stuff you made God. Like I don't need you though. And I feel Like I don't need you though. And I feel Like I don't need you though. And I feel like he's saying like this is incomplete like he's saying like this is incomplete like he's saying like this is incomplete >> without my presence with you. And like >> without my presence with you. And like >> without my presence with you. And like you're just not going to be as you're just not going to be as you're just not going to be as >> fruitful, productive, efficient at all >> fruitful, productive, efficient at all >> fruitful, productive, efficient at all as you think you are without me. Like I as you think you are without me. Like I as you think you are without me. Like I can get some stuff done, but like I'm can get some stuff done, but like I'm can get some stuff done, but like I'm going to burn out super quick and then going to burn out super quick and then going to burn out super quick and then I'm going to come running back. So he's I'm going to come running back. So he's I'm going to come running back. So he's like, "No, I'm going to I will make you like, "No, I'm going to I will make you like, "No, I'm going to I will make you lie down with me." Which I think is lie down with me." Which I think is lie down with me." Which I think is really cool.

really cool. really cool. >> That's really cool. >> That's really cool. >> That's really cool. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> He's like, "Sit down." Yeah. [laughter] >> He's like, "Sit down." Yeah. [laughter] >> He's like, "Sit down." Yeah. [laughter] >> Makes me think about when you teach a >> Makes me think about when you teach a >> Makes me think about when you teach a dog to sit. They gota dog to sit. They gota dog to sit. They gota >> push butt down. >> push butt down. >> push butt down. >> You got to push their [laughter] butt >> You got to push their [laughter] butt >> You got to push their [laughter] butt down a little bit till they get the down a little bit till they get the down a little bit till they get the feel. Yeah. So feel. Yeah. So feel. Yeah. So >> that's right. >> that's right. >> that's right. >> That's good. That's good. >> That's good. That's good. >> That's good. That's good. >> Hey, I I don't know where you are, but >> Hey, I I don't know where you are, but >> Hey, I I don't know where you are, but here's an here's an exercise. You know, here's an here's an exercise. You know, here's an here's an exercise. You know, we This is harder to do when the we This is harder to do when the we This is harder to do when the scripture we read is super long, but scripture we read is super long, but scripture we read is super long, but obviously Psalm 23 is not very long. And obviously Psalm 23 is not very long. And obviously Psalm 23 is not very long. And I wonder if you would go back in right I wonder if you would go back in right I wonder if you would go back in right now if you have the time, reread Psalm now if you have the time, reread Psalm now if you have the time, reread Psalm 23 and as you read it, prayerfully ask, 23 and as you read it, prayerfully ask, 23 and as you read it, prayerfully ask, "God, where am I at? Is this a season of "God, where am I at? Is this a season of "God, where am I at? Is this a season of green pastures and still waters? Is this green pastures and still waters? Is this green pastures and still waters? Is this a season where you're making me lie a season where you're making me lie a season where you're making me lie down? Am I in the valley, the shadow of down? Am I in the valley, the shadow of down? Am I in the valley, the shadow of death? Are you preparing a table before death? Are you preparing a table before death? Are you preparing a table before me?" Ask God where you are and ask him me?" Ask God where you are and ask him me?" Ask God where you are and ask him how he wants to meet you specifically in how he wants to meet you specifically in how he wants to meet you specifically in this moment of your life. And I just this moment of your life. And I just this moment of your life. And I just wonder if God might speak something wonder if God might speak something wonder if God might speak something unique to your journey in your situation unique to your journey in your situation unique to your journey in your situation because [music] he is that kind of because [music] he is that kind of because [music] he is that kind of shepherd.