From Dumpster Fire to Safety and Hope…

Alright, friends, happy Friday! (have you been working for the weekend? -sorry I couldn’t help myself).
Let’s talk about Psalm 91 today.

You know, that one that’s like, “Yo, you wanna live under the shadow of the Almighty?”
And we are all like, “Um, yeah, I do!“

So, let me ask you this, do you ever feel like life is just throwing curveballs at you? And, like, they are curveballs that are on fire? You’re over here just trying to make it to Tuesday, and suddenly, boom! Plague! Famine! Angry lions!
(Okay, maybe not lions, but you get the picture.) It’s just a dumpster fire of a week, month, year…

Psalm 91 is all about that secret place. No, not the book The Secret Garden, although that one always makes me cry…
But in Psalm 91 – You know, that spot where you’re just chillin’ with God, under the Almighty’s wing. It’s like finding that perfect hammock spot in the shade on a super hot day. You just sink in, and you’re like, “Ahhh, yeah. This is it.”

Now, some folks read this and think, “Okay, so if I say these words, I’m automatically immune to everything bad.” Like it’s some kind of magical incantation. (insert the Harry Potter-verse here) But, hold up! That’s not how this works.

Think of it like this: it’s not about being protected from everything, it’s about being held through everything.
It’s about knowing that even when the arrows are flying and the ground is shaking, you’re not alone.
You’re in that secret place, tucked in, held close.

Verse 4 says, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge.” Feathers! (I’m sorry, but why do I irreverently think of Big Bird from Sesame Street?!) But, Feathers?! Like a big, warm, divine bird hug.

How cool is that? It’s not about escaping the storm, it’s about knowing you’re safe in the middle of it.

I’m sure some of you reading this right now are in the middle of some storm of life.

And check this out: “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” It’s not about having no fear, because, let’s be real, fear happens. It’s about knowing that fear doesn’t get the final say.
It’s about trusting that even when things are dark and scary, God’s got your back.

Think of it like this: you’re walking through a haunted house. It’s dark and spooky, and there are jump scares everywhere. But you’re holding hands with someone you trust. You might jump, you might scream, but you know you’re not going through it alone.

THAT’S THE SECRET PLACE.
It’s not a physical location, it’s a state of being.
It’s knowing that even when life’s a hot mess, a freaking dumpster fire…
you’re connected to something bigger, something stronger, something that loves you more than you can imagine.

So, perhaps next time, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath.
Find that secret place. Remember those feathers. Remember that you’re held.
And remember, you’re not alone. We’re all in this crazy, beautiful, messy thing together.
And God’s got us.

Grace and Peace friends!
Go live that feathered life!

-Pastor Scott.
(Have a great weekend, we’ll see you on Monday!)