Many years ago, the song "Fragile" by Sting with its haunting melody and repeated refrain, "...lest we forget how fragile we are. How fragile we are..." got me to thinking about us humans and our proclivity for breakage.
Drop us from too high up, we die. Drop something too big on us, we die. Forget to feed and water us, we die. Expose us to extreme temperatures, we die. And don't even get me started on all the ways to injure us--there are a million ways.
We're a delicate bunch, us citizens of this fallen world. Sometimes we don't realize it right away. We have parents and teachers and protectors galore to insulate us from danger and damage. But if we hang around long enough, we get hurt. We get lost. We suffer.
I don't like being breakable. I don't like the broken places I already have. And I don't like the weaknesses in my heart, body, and soul that predict breakdowns in the future.
But even when I cannot feel it, even when I've lost those who loved and protected me most at best here on earth, even when I can't imagine that things will ever be okay--I choose to believe that there is still a safe place for me. There is still a Power greater than all the forces of evil that holds me close and will never let me go.
Today I can't feel it. I feel all my all vulnerabilities and weaknesses and fears closing in. But I believe. I believe that I am safe. Safe, because I have asked Him to stay with me and He is here.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
He is my God, and I trust him.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promise are your
armor
and
protection.
~Psalm 91:1-4
