Soul Mates

A Reflection on the Psalm for December 2nd, 2018:
​First Sunday of Advent

PSALM 25

​To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Lord, make me know your ways.
Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:
for you are God my saviour.   

Saturday night past, the church was vibrating with wonderful songs of praise and prayer to the Lord (The Psalms themselves were once sung with such conviction). Deacon Dave asked many of us to move closer to the front; God is good! I happened to find myself standing beside a young girl of about 11 years. She sang from her soul and raised her hands and was involved in the prayer, and in the rhythms and melodies which carried that prayer. At one point I smiled at her, and she beamed as she told me she did not know all the songs, but she would listen and she would try to learn them. It occurred to me that Mary wasn't much older than this child when she was expecting Jesus. I imagine that having given her Fiat, she would have prayed Psalm 25. Such a simple prayer asking God to "teach her His paths". It is so easy to complicate things in life; to be caught up with the noise and confusion of life. This Psalm speaks a simple request, "to know His ways and to walk in His truth". It asks us to be open to the lessons which the Lord offers, and to declare, as the young girl in the pew sang, "... for You are God, my Savior".

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

The Lord is good and upright.
He shows the path to those who stray,
he guides the humble in the right path;
he teaches his way to the poor.

There is a lovely old hymn that begins, "What a friend we have in Jesus". Jesus not only shows us the error of our ways, but if we desire His guidance, He guides us back to Him. Being widowed, I often worry about finances and carefully tally up the month's spending. And yet, I don't seem to take stock of my spiritual poverty. Jesus teaches us to empty ourselves (easier said than done). He teaches us that "His way" will lead us on the right path.

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

​His ways are faithfulness and love
for those who keep his covenant and will.
The Lord’s friendship is for those who revere him;
to them he reveals his covenant.

It is said that we have many acquaintances in our lifetime, but few true friends. It is such a blessing to have a true friend to share the joys and sorrows of our lives; one that will always be honest and yet caring and understanding. I have such appreciation and faith in my close friends. But keeping in touch is an important part of maintaining a friendship. Such conversations are precious. Jesus offers us faithfulness and love, and all I have to do is believe in Him and converse with Him. The better I get to know Him, the deeper our friendship. 

What better time than Advent to ponder Mary, daily talking to her Son and Savior in her womb. Following her example, we too can daily renew our friendship with Him.

​To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

"What better time than Advent to ponder Mary, daily talking to her Son and Savior in her womb.
​Following her example, we too can daily renew our friendship with Him."

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Lynda Tyler

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