Faith in a Time of Pandemic – I Have What I Need

XLIX
I HAVE WHAT I NEEED
I shall not want…Psalm 23:1

During this time of pandemic, many of us have discovered that with the classic Rolling Stones’ song “you can’t always get what you want.” Our family orders groceries online to be delivered at our home. As we go down our list of items, often we can’t find products we took for granted a few months ago – paper towels, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, that special cut of meat, a whole turkey, that favorite cheese or beverage. We are faced with shortages that we hadn’t imagined before, and then recognizes that these shortages are realities for millions throughout our nation and across the globe on a daily basis. We complain about not getting the right brand of hand soap when millions of people don’t have running water or soap at their immediate disposal.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” relates to our spiritual lives and not necessarily to food stuffs and commodities. There is an economic element in the passage no doubt pointing to Gandhi’s assertion that there is enough for everyone’s need, not everyone’s greed. There is also the spiritual recognition that if we open to God, we will experience peace and courage in the midst of strife.
Psalm 23 asks us to consider, in our privilege or in whatever state we find ourselves, what we truly need. Certainly, we do need the basics in Maslow’s hierarchy of values – shelter, food, and health care. We also need hope, trust, companionship, and love. We need challenge and novelty, the ability to chart our course despite the limitations of sheltering in place.

Perhaps the apostle Paul is recalling Psalm 23, when he says, “my God shall supply all your needs.” God’s providence is moving in our lives, providing opportunities for spiritual growth, emotional healing, courageous action, and new friendships even in this time of pandemic. With Jacob, we need to pause and notice long enough to be able to affirm that “God is in this place” and “now I know it.”
God is at the place of our need as well as the place of our abundance. God is providing resources for us – and for all of us – if we reach out, share, care, and care more deeply. “We shall not want.”

Finally, this passage reminds us that we can be the answer to someone’s prayer. We can be the person who provides a kind word, an affirmation, a listening ear that will provide hope and a sense of connection to a fellow pilgrim.

Yes, we “shall not want.” We have what we need to be faithful, caring, and courageous – to be God’s healing companions – in this time of pandemic.
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Remind us, Loving Parent, that we have everything we need. Help us to look for occasions to respond to the spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical needs of others. Out of the generosity of your grace, let us give grace to others. Amen.