I Need a Shepherd
Scripture to Ponder:
Psalms 23
John 10
Picture it… a large green meadow flowing with hills and valleys as far as the eye can see. In the distance, a shepherd stands under a shade tree watching over his flock. He is their defender, their safe place, their provider, their rest. They are soley dependant upon him. He ensures their safety as they travel the terrain for food and water. They listen for his voice to guide them. They trust him. As the sheep travel, they are focused on one primary factor - food. Nose to the ground, focused on filling their stomachs, chewing away. Now if I am going to draw a parallel of myself and a sheep, I have already picked mine out of the flock. Look a little to the left. On over. A little farther. There she is. Alone. Oblivious. Enjoying the sun shining on her fur and eating to her little hearts content. We will call her Meryl Sheep. Meryl isn't paying attention to where she is wandering because she is so focused on eating. Yep, I identify with ol' Meryl. I too, at times, obliviously wander off course and need my shepherd to come carry me back to safety.
Meryl has no ability to see the danger that's lurking over the next hillside, so she keeps nose to the ground, until it's present. Luckily, her shepherd can see what's ahead. He can protect her from dangers she's not even aware of, if she'll just listens to his voice. You see, she knows his voice because of the time spent together. The shepherd knows the importance of protecting his sheep and the sheep come to fully trust him. What beautiful imagery! Our Good Shepherd sees what we cannot see. He knows what we need, he knows what's ahead, and he gives fully of himself for our benefit. I don't know about you, but I am immensely grateful for my shepherd. When the ol’ Meryl in me becomes so distracted by my current circumstances and wanders too far, I hear my shepherd's voice calling, pursuing me. Just as the shepherd values his sheep, our shepherd so values us!
The shepherd daily anoints his sheep with oil to bring them peace from insects and pest that threaten to bother them. He uses it to calm them or to help them heal from injury. Ol’ Meryl gets her head annointed so she can eat and rest in peace, yet she still wanders. How much more do we need that sweet daily annointing from our Father? His love overwhelms me when I think of how he loves and cares for us. If we learn to daily come to our Good Shepherd, we will learn that he cares for us to the greatest extent. He provides, protects, heals, calms, and guides us out of his love for us! His plan for us is far greater than our own!
Our Good Shepherd knows what is ahead, knows the dangers that threaten to overtake, and knows what we have need of. A shepherd protects and provides so that his sheep will become calm enough to lay down to rest. When we think of who Christ is and all he has done, how can we not take comfort and find our rest in him? When our minds keep us awake at night, picture the shepherd setting at the gate protecting them so they are able to lay down to rest, and know your Shepherd does the same for you. He knows rough waters bring danger for his sheep, so he lovingly guides them to calm waters for restoration. Everything they have need of is known and taken care of by the shepherd. Oh sisters, it’s no different for us, in him we find all that we need.
No matter where we find ourselves in the field of life, the mountain or the valley, we can rest in the truth that we have a Good Shepherd that will guide us. Our circumstances don't have to distract us. Just like ol' Meryl, we can keep our nose to the ground in peace because we know our shepherd's voice. We know we are safe in his care! Just like Meryl, I need a shepherd. Poor Meryl would be lost without her shepherd and so would I! Lord, bind my wandering heart to thee. You are my shepherd and I know your voice.
Questions to Ponder:
Do I know my Shepherd’s voice?
Have I become distracted by circumstances, and forgotten that my Shepherd is in control?
Do I trust my shepherd, the one who sees what's ahead?
