It is interesting that on a day, when we bring the sick and homebound members to be with us in church, the gospel says that many were healed by Jesus. It also says all were fed. As we come to this service of thanksgiving for the blessings of life, maybe another day of pain, but certainly another day of love, we are all fed. Healing may not be happening as we would like it to be, but life continues.
Despite our physical and mental challenges we must continue to seek food. Food here is not necessarily what we eat physically, but what brings comfort, a sense of satisfaction and peace of mind. This is what the psalmist in Psalm 23 is reflecting on. Despite his circumstances he has everything he needs.
The poetic King James version says
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
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.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing I need. He provides for me. There are things I would prefer to be different, I want to jump and skip and shout, and it depresses me that I am no longer able to do so; that I must lie in wait on others. My friends are all gone to Glory, before me and I am trying to prepare myself to be with them and to sit at that table of eternal refreshment, but for now I live as God leads and as God guides.
I lack nothing. God refreshes me with good people. Everything I need is provided. Cool streams, fresh grass, gives glimpses of perfection that come my way from time to time. I rest in them. They energize me. God gives me strength to carry on.
I am sure we would agree with the psalmist. God heals the soul even as the discomfort of the body remains. God provides the sustenance we need when we need it and how we need it.
Borrowing the lyrics of The Wonder of you a song that Elvis Priestley made popular, we understand that many are healed and all are fed because
God is there when no-one else can understand us
When everything we do is wrong
God gives us hope and consolation
God give us strength to carry on
And God is always there to lend a hand
In everything we do
That's the wonder
The wonder of God
God brings smiles so the world is brighter
God's touch through others makes us special
God's love for us is everything
And we cannot quite understand why God loves us so.
Many are healed and we all are being fed. Let us keep reflecting on this as God helps us navigate life. Let us learn how to lean more on God and less on ourselves as God provides healing and food. .