He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still water.

There's a gale raging outside my window this morning. I've opened the window to let the steam from the shower out (we don't have a window in the bathroom) and it is so loud I'm going to have to close it again soon. I've always had this strange fear of strong winds. I think it's connected to when my family used to go camping when we were little or to Bible camps and I used to get scared the tent would blow down. So I'm not enjoying the wind this morning!

I feel like life's a bit stormy at the moment (sorry about the cheesy analogy!) - nothing awful going on but just lots of 'stuff' that is bogging me down and planting little seeds of worry. You know when things feel a bit on top of you? I often feel guilty when I complain to God about all the things that are stressing me, which are so insignificant compared to what others are going through. But I am so thankful that my God is big enough to deal with huge problems and compassionate enough to care about my little niggles.

I am reading through a Bible study guide which is looking at the theme of water. I've never really used a study guide like this before, so it's opened up a new way of reading God's word which I'm enjoying. I feel quite drawn to looking at my life using water as a picture to help me understand. For example, Jesus calmed the storms at Galilee showing his mastery over all creation - so when I see a gale like the one outside, it is testament to how powerful God is, as he could calm it in an instant.

The passage last night was the very familiar Psalm 23. I memorised this as a child (as I'm sure lots of people did) and sometimes I find that unhelpful because the meaning can get lost in the familiarity of the verses. But the study guide talked through each verse and I was really struck with this part:

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters

The study guide suggested meditating on those verses, imagining Jesus leading you to a beautiful green meadow where you lie down in safety, next a gentle stream. I know this sort of meditation isn't for everyone but it really reminded me of when I was a child and I used to do this a lot when I was in worship. I used to always imagine myself in the countryside spending time with Jesus - this is something I had forgotten until reading the guide! Last night as I was stressing about various things, what I really needed was to lie down in safety and spend time letting Jesus shoulder my burdens and give me peace. I don't do this enough and it such a calming, rewarding exercise; to 'be still and know that I am God' (Psalm 46:10). Thank you Jesus for being my good shepherd.