Super Mario Psalm

You’ll find refuge under God’s wings. God’s faithfulness is a protective shield. – Psalm 91:4 (CEB, adapted) 

I spent Christmas afternoon racing Mario Kart courses against the highly skilled young gamers in my life. I often finish last, but I’m a great driver if I have an invincibility star. When I collect this special item, my Mario Kart driver is immune to all threats and hazards for a few moments. She speeds up, radiates brilliant colors, and safely plows through any obstacle in her way—banana peels, flying turtle shells, other players.  

In Psalm 91, the psalmist sings of God’s wings as if they’re a divine Mario Kart boost. Through faith, the psalm says, we find a forcefield of protection to dodge life’s traps and arrows. We’re shielded from disease and destruction, and we will not dash our feet against stones. We can even walk on top of snakes and lions without injury. (Note: Just because we can doesn’t mean we should.)  

This idea of protection is comforting but we all know our devotion is not to a magical power that erases pain and suffering, but to a God who lives among us to experience human obstacles and adversity, a God who shows us how to maneuver the course with resilience and pizzazz.  

Yes, an invincibility star would be great on days when health concerns, overdue bills, harmful legislation, and interpersonal conflicts are flying at us from all angles, knocking us off course.  

What’s greater, though, is what we do have: a God who is right here, driving the Super Glider Kart with us, promising that we don’t have to navigate the obstacles of this twisty-turny world alone. 

Prayer
God of Refuge, remind us that you will never abandon us, no matter how challenging the race gets. Amen.

About the Author
Joanna D’Agostino is the Senior Pastor at Lakewood Congregational Church in Lakewood, Ohio.