still waters

Under a bright sun, still waters reflect everything above almost perfectly.  This morning I sat next to a local pond that was very still (until two otters suddenly broke the surface with their round heads and caused ripples).  The still pond was like a shiny breakfast plate offering a feast for the Lord to enjoy as He looked down.  I feel it calming to sit next to still waters...they seem to promote peace.  I thought about the still waters that the Lord leads me to...still waters of His presence, of His forgiveness, of His sovereign power and I felt secure in Him.  I realized that when I allow the Lord to lead me into still waters, my life can be like a morning pond that reflects His nature upward to heaven, itself.  I believe that we find His intimate presence in that process.   Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd;          I shall not want.  2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;          He leads me beside the still waters.  3 He restores my soul;   blessings, Rob Smith

all roads

"All roads lead to Rome" is an expression that somehow has found its way through the generations since Rome was the great empire of the world.  Of course Rome was famous for constructing lasting roadways that connected its far flung domain together.  These roads were something like our circulatory system and the blood of trade and of military force traveled over them.  I suppose it was also literally true that you could find your way to Rome from any location in the empire by travelling some route over those roadways.  Recently it occurred to me that we are each on our own roadway.  You might consider that the unique path of your own life.  At times that path or road may seem to be very remote and not connected to anything of particular importance.  We may feel as if our personal "road" is one that we alone travel.  You may be on a dusty country road or a busy urban street.  Recently I took a ride through the country and took many unfamiliar roads that the map said would lead me across our state and back home again.  The thought occurs that no matter where your personal road has taken you, the Lord has a route that will lead you back to Him.  You may sense that you are far from home, but He can be found no matter where you are.  Just as "all roads led to Rome" so all the roads of life can lead to the Lord.   Isaiah 35:8 A highway shall be there, and a road,       And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.       The unclean shall not pass over it,       But it shall be for others.       Whoever walks the road, although a fool,       Shall not go astray.   blessings, Rob Smith