My daughter calls sheep 'beep'. It's cute. I know she'll grow out of it. But in the meantime, how many of us live as beep beep sheep? Always searching, looking to speed ahead to the next stop light. You know what I'm talking about- the people that floor it and cut you off only to get caught at the next stoplight right in front of you? Kinda makes me laugh when that happens. Anyway back to the sheep. The sheep follow the Shepherd. They respond to the sound of his voice. They are not trying to dart around him or jump ahead of His leading. They just follow with an expectancy that He will guide them and lead them to places of nourishment and rest. Every road has it's bumps. It's my job as the sheep, not to get so caught up on the bumps that I lose sight of my Shepherd. When He gives direction, step out in faith even if you don't have all the pieces to complete the puzzle just yet.
If there's one thing I've learned from having children it's that you cannot make them do two things: eat or sleep. Even though manufacturers of the next magical children's products might say otherwise, just ask the parent of an infant. If they don't wanna do it, they aren't gonna do it. Yes, their natural bodies will eventually force them into both of those things but not without many hours of tears and struggles. At the same time, I can provide them with food that tastes good and an environment that calms and helps them enter into peaceful sleep. But, in the end, the choice is ultimately theirs. They CAN go on for a certain amount of time by their own will and their own strength but it will not be fulfilling nor will it be peaceful. How many of us are starving and exhausted from our own push and striving to gain the things that the Good Shepherd will provide to us if we simply relent and receive? He is faithful and kind to meet us where we are.
Psalm 23, the psalm of the Good Shepherd, says that he refreshes and restores our soul. I don't have to qualify for this refreshing and restoring because Jesus qualified FOR me, in my place. He took my place of brokenness and curse and gave me His place of righteousness as a gift at the cross. His sacrifice was acceptable in the sight of God. My job is to receive. My job is to let Him lead and to follow. He's gone ahead of me and understands what I'm facing now and what I will be facing. It's HIS job to provide my provision, comfort and times of rest. It's my job to receive it. Time to lay some things down and give Him the honor of taking it. Then comes joy and peace because I'm not shouldering something that was not intended for me. Hope y'all have a great week!
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.
2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
3 He refreshes and
restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness
[uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for
His name’s sake.
4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.
6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and
unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the
length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my
dwelling place.
