Psalm 23 was written on a small picture hung on my wall as a baby. I grew up reading it and although I didn’t understand it at the time, it has followed me throughout my life as a reminder of the most important truth: God is with us.
Remember the movie Cast Away? It was the year 2000 and Tom Hanks starred in this film and ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Actor and it became one of the most talked about films of all time.
Now, how does this film connect to the scripture of Psalm 23? It comes to 3 words: I lack nothing. See, sometimes we are like Tom Hanks’ character, stranded on a metaphorical deserted island, feeling we have nothing and no one, and yet God provides us exactly what we need, no matter how unconventional.
In Cast Away, Chuck Noland had every everything stripped away. No phone. No food. No people. And yet, in that moment of utter isolation, something unexpected appeared—a volleyball, later named Wilson. It wasn’t what he wanted, but it was what he needed. That object became a symbol of hope, sanity, and survival. And through it, we’re reminded of this unshakable truth from Psalm 23: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.”
Like Chuck on the island, there are seasons in life when we feel stranded—emotionally, spiritually, or even physically. We may cry out, “Where is everyone? Where is God?” But then, quietly, something shows up. A conversation. A song. A memory. A volleyball.
God’s provision doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. Sometimes it’s unconventional. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable. But it is always sufficient.
So, if you find yourself in a deserted place—unsure, unseen, or undone—remember this: The Shepherd hasn’t left you. Look around. Listen. He’s there. And with Him, you truly lack nothing.
Kelsey Paul, LifeLight Worship Leader
