The Staff

Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. (RSV)

From last September until the beginning of summer, I participated in an exercise group, in an effort to improve my physical fitness. Along with the usual cardio-, flexibility, and strengthening exercises, in each class we did balancing routines. Some of us did well with them, and others of us struggled.

On the day of our last class before the summer recess, we abandoned our usual venue and headed to a local park for a walk. Our instructor invited a local walking clinician to join us. He brought special poles for us to use, which, along with lessening the strain on our lower bodies, increased the workout for our upper bodies. However, the best use of the poles was revealed when we reached the last part of our walk, which was a very steep uphill climb. As we dug the tips of the poles into the ground, we realized that we were able to push ourselves up the hill and to make the climb much more easily than when we just used our arms and legs. The poles helped us to keep our balance and also gave us a lift.

Jesus is our pole in life. He will help us to keep our perspective and balance, if we will only rely on Him to give us a lift and to lend a hand to steady us when we feel that we are falling.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we need only look to You to give us the balance we need to weather the storms of life. Keep us from falling, and help us to climb the hills that so often present themselves in our path and cause us to fear. Amen.

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