Late one Night on the Subway

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…” Psalm 23:4

The pastor talked about fear this morning in church. He said living in a state or spirit of fear is ill-advised (See 2 Timothy 1:7), but sometimes it’s wise to be scared, like when a bear is chasing you. The sermon made me remember a time I was afraid (one of many) and how I handled it.

            During my Bible college days, a date for freshmen or sophomores meant a double date or a chaperoned date, and that’s how I found myself taking a bus into New York City with Bob and his roommate, Israel. We were going to the best concert ever at Madison Square Garden:  Jay and the Americans! I so desperately wanted to go to this concert that when Bob’s first choice turned him down, I suggested he take me. He must have been feeling fairly desperate himself, because he agreed. Israel was our appointed chaperone.

What I remember most forty some years later about the concert itself is that girls we didn’t know kept trying to get Israel to dance with them. He couldn’t comply. Dancing was another no-no for Bible college kids.

So after experiencing this fabulous performance, we discovered we had missed the last bus back to our college in northern New Jersey. Not only would we miss curfew (yet another no-no) we were stranded in the city. Israel came up with a solution:  We would ride the subway train to his parents’ home in Brooklyn, and borrow their car to drive back to school. I had not realized until that night that Israel was a tough, street-smart, inner city preacher’s kid.

No, I didn't see anyone this scary on the subway.
No, he's not Bob or Israel.

            Descending the stairs into the tunnel unnerved this small-town Jersey girl. Even forty years ago the subway appeared in movies, television dramas, and news stories as a setting for violent crime. The late hour and moving train soon lulled Bob to sleep, so I abandoned my date and moved closer to Israel. Though I didn’t want to be taking this ride at all, his presence made the train a less frightening place. I figured nobody would mess with me if it looked like I was with Israel.

            Like the psalmist, I affirm, “The Lord is my shepherd.” I prefer green pastures, quiet waters, and an overflowing cup, but when I have to walk in the shadowy valley—or ride the subway, or sub fifth grade, or face any number of irrational and rational fears—God’s presence makes it a less frightening place.

            And it doesn’t hurt to have a tough friend by my side as well.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Psalm 23, NKJV via www.biblegateway.com