Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

Dear Friends,

This past week a lot of people have been wrestling with the tragic loss of Trisha Wood, a Western student. It has been a tough week for some of our Unity students who knew Trisha well. We can only imagine the sorrow of her family.

The accident of Trisha Wood has been a life pausing event. It has caused us to wrestle with our priorities, and forced us all to look at the reality that our time is not really our time, it is God’s time. He has placed us here because this is when and where he decided to do so.

The day of the visitation, I coincidentally read Psalm 23 and the accompanying study notes and I was struck with the line that only Jesus can walk with us through death. What a comfort to a parent who is grieving, what comfort to a teenager. What a comfort to us all.

“ Even though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me….”
Psalm 23:4a

“Death casts a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its’ presence. We can struggle with other enemies-pain, suffering, disease, injury-but strength and courage cannot overcome death. It has the final word. Only one person can walk with us through death’s dark valley and bring us safely to the other side- the God of life, our shepherd. Because life is uncertain, we should follow the shepherd who offers us eternal comfort.” ( NIV Life Application Bible Study Notes, 1991)


A friend of mine once reminded me that shadows cannot hurt you. They are scary, but they cannot hurt you.

The accident of Trisha Wood has reminded me of the ultimate joy and comfort we have in Jesus Christ, from the mundane moments of life to the scariest moment when he calls us home. He is with us. He walks beside us. He is with us. Always.