Written by professors, graduates, and others in
the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary community, these reflections, prayers, and spiritual practices will take you along the journey with Jesus through the cross toward resurrection.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
• Psalm 23
The human will is a coiled spring that compels us toward greater life. Strength of will is a peculiarly North American virtue. By sheer force of will, European immigrants tamed this wild land and its native inhabitants, forging a new society. In the twentieth century, we mustered our collective will to fight two world wars against fascism. In the 1960s President Kennedy cast a vision for space travel which was accomplished by the willpower of the American people. American entrepreneurial spirit—the will to create new and better products—drives the world’s economy, popular culture, and global politics. The notion of willpower is embedded in our theories of human development and parenting. Woe to the parent who allows a child to nurse too long or delays potty training or to young adults who lack the willpower to find a purpose beyond their parents’ basement. Every American parent conveys to their son or daughter that only a weak will stands between them and the presidency. It is self-evident to Americans that little good can come of passivity in the face of the status quo. Only action born of will is capable of taming the wild forces of the world.
Of course, such dogged commitment accomplishes much good in the world—many evils are fought and foes vanquished—but the testimony of the Bible is that true salvation can only be received as a gift. Yielding to a Mystery is counter-intuitive to a nation born of such willpower. The season of Lent provides us space to wonder, Is it possible that willpower is finally a strategy for avoiding our own conversion?
Reflections on the 23rd Psalm often emphasize the satisfactions of dwelling in the Lord’s house—such as green pastures, quiet waters, refreshment, comfort, goodness, and love. These are the self-evident goods we seek—and for which we grasp by means of innumerable self-improvement strategies. Yet, in our grasping we often miss the ascetic character of life with God—the friction that makes demands on us, binds us in certain ways, and calls for us to surrender our wills in order that something higher will be loosed within us. The 23rd Psalm bids us to relinquish control of our wills, to allow the Lord to “make us” lie down, to lead and guide us. In the Lord’s house we do not earn our keep by force of will, but despite ourselves we are anointed with oil, given food and care. We do not overcome the shadow of the valley of death by force of will, but by remaining close to the Lord.
The season of Lent does not burst forth with rejoicing angels; nor does its triumphant glory stun attendant women and disciples. Lent relies on a more difficult rhythm of dying to self, reflecting on how we, by force of will, obscure the gift of God’s life in our midst.
We come longing for the Lord’s house, trusting in God’s mercy and not in our own will. We come yielding ourselves, to be made to lie down, to be guided in the ways of God’s truth, to experience the joy of God’s salvation. We come, in the midst of our Lenten journey, aware of God’s steadfast love navigating the valley of the shadow of death. Lead us, O God, teach us to follow the humble way of Christ, your beloved Son, our crucified and risen Lord.
– The Reverend Dr. David White
The C. Ellis and Nancy Gribble Nelson
Professor of Christian Education
For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.
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