I have a difficult time dealing with death. I struggle when those around me pass away and I struggle in dealing with the fact that we are not meant to be on this earth forever. I am not sure if this is a millennial thing or just a human nature thing.
But because I struggle with death, I struggled this week with feeling the reality of our finite-ness. Each night I walked my dog before bed, I'd look at the stars and wonder what is my last night to view this wonder. I see the stars and I thank God for each day and ask to wake-up to another. The weight this week pulled me down emotionally. Though, at some point on Tuesday night and my nightly stroll with my pup, Psalm 23 came into my head. We all know Psalm 23, "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..." I was hooked on how I could use Psalm 23 as my weekly devotional. And yet this whole week I was stuck when faced with the passage. I kept my Bible open to Psalm 23 so each morning and each break I would read this passage and remember what I am struggling with and working with. Once I read, and re-read my assignment for this week, to make an animoto (my video attached above). I had to create a "creative production of a psalm".
As you watch this video, please understand that this video is coming from my struggles of this week. The struggles of our finite-ness, the struggles of losing two grandparents, and yet the hope of Christ being our protector and guide through all of this.
I hope as you watch this short video, you feel your humanity but in a way that enlightens you to knowing the "goodness and unfailing love that will pursue you (and be with you) all the days of your life. (Psalm 23:6)"
I chose Meghan Trainor's song, "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" as the track for this video because not only does it remind me that we're not sure about tomorrow but while we're in today, we need to love like there is no tomorrow, to anyone and everyone. This song, even though it is not explicitly religious, God loves us unconditionally and unending; Like He is going to lose us. The way God loves us should be the example of how we love others, each and every day we are gifted.
Below is Pslam 23, the version from my Bible journaling Bible, the version I sat with this whole week.
Psalm 23
[1] The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need
[2] He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
[3] He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
[4] Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
[5] You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
[6] Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
