Recently a colleague, one whom I have never met in person commented about why they are friends with me on social media.  “This is why I keep you around.  You lead me beside still waters.”  My response was curious to say the least.  “Who me?”  “Wait, is that good?”  “What do you mean?”  I asked, but haven’t heard back.  I think I was pretty vague in my ask because in all honesty, I didn’t want to make it about me in that moment.  Still, it has left me pondering.  What is it to be one who leads beside still waters?

There is a saying, “still waters run deep.”  That is because the shallow waters are running over uneven surfaces, so they roil, ripple, and jump.  Still waters are able to be so because they are very deep and the more weight the more layers of depth allow the water to smooth out.  To appear more peaceful than they are.  But underneath, they cover the same rough ground.  They still roil, but they have a certain weightiness to steady them and make them appear calm.

These waters are dangerous.  They can be quite swift and powerful.  They hide depths of power that we cannot understand and often are poorly equipped to navigate. They can lure you in.  But in all honesty, you are best to respect the power and depth and stay out unless you are equipped to go in.  And when you do go in, know your life is in your hands and you may not come away with it.

To lead someone beside still waters, I imagine then, is to remind them of the power and danger beside them. To remind them of the respect needed before wading in.  To be calmed and protected by not being led into the waters, but to remain beside them until the time is right to go in. It isn’t about inducing fear, rather it is about knowing the nature of the thing in front of you and respecting it.  In other words, to help keep them safe and well in the midst of danger.

If all this is what she meant, then I am deeply honored.  Because I know her to be brave and equipped to navigate dangerous and deep waters.  I know her to be aware already.  What I didn’t know was that I was aware or that I was leading others in this way.  And that, my friends is the crux of this.  Are you aware you are leading?  Are you aware you are already in a position to keep someone else safe and well?  Or worse, to let them go off and enter the dangers unaware and unequipped?   We are all leaders.  All priests.  All saints.  And when we are unaware of our leadership in the world we risk not only our lives, but those around us.

I am still stunned by her remark.  I am always shocked to hear I am a leader, even though I am a pastor now.  I am always surprised to hear that I have an effect on others- for better or worse.  But then, I should not be.  Being part of the world means we have influence on it.  Each day, we get to choose how we will engage the world when we step out into it.  That choice can be life giving or life taking- and if we don’t make it for ourselves, it will be made for us.

As I close my longest vacation time ever, I am pondering how I will re-enter the world of my church and community. There is a lot going on out there.  What manner of presence will I chose?  How will I engage others?  How can I keep others safe in my journey?  I don’t know the answer yet but I am grateful for the chance to ponder it before I do.