Carpool Catechesis

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January 9, 2022

Psalm 18:1-2 NIV

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

CONSIDER THIS

You’ve heard of carpool karaoke, the practice made famous by late night talk host James Corden. How about carpool catechesis? It’s something I stumbled onto as a young parent. As our kids aged out of bedtime routines and rituals we had to find new ways to try and sow the Word of God into their lives. In other words, at what other points in their lives did I have them as a captive audience? It became the car ride to school.

Every day on the way to school I would try to lead them in saying the Apostles Creed, praying the Lord’s Prayer, and antiphonally reciting the Beatitudes and the 23rd Psalm—or at least one of these things depending on the day and who had put off studying for their test until the car ride to school. Anyhow, the last thing I would say to them as they exited the car was the first line of Psalm 18. I would say, “I love you O Lord,” and they would say, “my strength.” Then I would tell them that I loved them by name. (As they got older I had to abbreviate the last part by saying “LML”—short for Love my Lily—to which they would reply, “LMD”—short for Love my Dad; on the off chance that one of their friends might hear these verbal exchanges as the doors opened and closed on the mini-van!). I digress. 

My youngest, Sam (16), gets his drivers license this Tuesday, which will bring this long season of carpool catechesis to an end. I’m happy-sad about this. In so many ways I have come up short as a parent. My children are not paragons of the Christian faith. I wish I had more time. As I reflect back, it occurs to me that I am not confident in my parenting at all. I am confident in the Word of God and I know this Word has been sown into their lives in ways that largely participated with their willingness—even if at times only passively. Time will tell. 

Here’s one regret. I wish I had gotten to verse 2 of Psalm 18:

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

Look at the sheer layering going on here. Count them—seven brilliant, visceral images stacked upon each other like stones, crafting the very imagery he speaks of as he speaks it. In fact, David is singing these words out to God and the world. 

ROCK—FORTRESS—DELIVERER—REFUGE—SHIELD—SALVATION—STRONGHOLD 

Even more impressive to me is his use of another term. He uses it eight times. See if you can find the word I’m referring to. 

THE PRAYER

Yes, I love you, O Lord, my strength. You are my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
you are my rock in whom I take refuge. You are my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Jesus, I want this “my” to become stronger and more real in this year ahead. Holy Spirit, would you lead me into all of these places in ways more real than ever before. I pray in Jesus name, Amen. 

THE QUESTION

How might you “immerse” in this word from Psalm 18? Might it be your MY TEXT for 2022? I’m thinking of making it my Second Word. ;0) 

P.S.

So this is the kind of stuff we will be engaging in our How to Read the Bible Better Course. There’s still time to jump in. There are a few more seats remaining until we hit our cap. REGISTER HERE.

For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com