Quiet Time Coaching: “What a drowning deer taught me about the heart of God”

It was about 6:30 AM this morning. My customary prayer walk was taking me through Cassiobury Park and into the conservation area close to where I live. My mind and my prayers were centred on Psalm 130. All was well.

Until a lady interrupted me with her declaration, "There's a deer drowning in the canal." That's when God started to teach me something about himself.

“Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” (Psalms 119:175–176 NIV11)

The Psalmist wants to praise God. He has experienced God's life-sustaining teaching. Yet he is aware of his tendency to stray. Many other Psalms talk about seeking God. But I love this verse. It is a plea for God to seek his servant. 

And, of course, it reminded me of what Jesus said in Luke's gospel: 

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4 NIV11)

When you pray, do you reflect on the seeking nature of God? Could you meditate on Psalm 119 and Luke 15 in your next prayer time? What helps you to be grateful for the seeking Shepherd?

Please leave a comment here so that we can all learn from one another. We learn best when we learn in community.

If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here: coach.me.

You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John.

Do you have a question about personal spiritual growth? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day, and some wonderful quiet times.

God bless,

Malcolm