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Feeling a little sheepish?
“You Animal!”
Have you ever noticed how we use animals to describe people's characteristics. We say they are "bold as a lion", "strong as an ox", "a scaredy cat", "dog tired", "timid as a mouse", “stubborn as a mule”...
The Bible also makes comparisons between people's behaviour and animals. One particular description used is that of likening us all to sheep. Not the most complementary comparison. Sheep are not noted for their intelligence, or for their ability to protect or look after themselves.
“Are you lost?”
Sheep
often go astray by simply following their nose to the next mouth full of grass.
They take no stock of where they are or where they are going, until they have
strayed from safety and find themselves lost, alone and in danger.
They have no teeth or claws with which to protect themselves, and are easy prey for wild animals. No wonder we read phrases like:
Psa 44:22 ... we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
One thing the Bible says about people is:
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way...
We have strayed. Strayed from our creator, strayed from paths which are right or healthy. Why do we do this? Because we want our own way.
A theme of our current culture is that we all want to be "the captain of our own destiny". We don't want anyone else telling us want we should do, or what is right or wrong. But when we get our own way are we happy? Are we safe? Is it what we really wanted? Or do we feel lost and afraid?
1 Ki 22:17 Then he said, "I saw all [the people] scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd...
Have you ever been lost whilst driving. You become more convinced that you have taken the wrong road. Your partner is certainly convinced that you have. Do you stop and ask for directions? No. You drive just a little further, to see what turns up. But the question remains, how far do you have to drive down the wrong road before it becomes the right road? It never can be the right road, you need help, you need to change the direction you take.
“Who Cares?”
We may like to think we are in
charge of our own lives, that we are in control, steering the course we want.
But what do the “powers that be” think about us. Are we an important individual,
or are we just a number, a statistic. When Generals plan wars, people just
become causalities, canon-fodder.
In the great scheme of things, do we really count? Do we matter? Who notices us anyway?
Life can be depressing. We can be lost. We can find ourselves alone. We can think that no one cares. Perhaps our own way wasn’t the best way after all. Perhaps we did not know where we were going. But where do we go for help?
Psa 23:1-3 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.
Sheep are safe when they are with a shepherd. Jesus said:
John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
We may be lost, but there is someone who is looking for us, who is calling our name. Perhaps you have recently sensed the shepherd call your name, felt a pull on your heart. Perhaps you have known that there is something, or someone missing in your life. Have you had enough of your own way yet? Are you ready to try his way?
It is said of this shepherd that he knows his sheep by name. You will not be a number or statistic to him.
But how do you know he will receive you? Perhaps he thinks you gone to far, or ignored him to long? The good news is that Jesus came to earth because he knew that we all where like sheep, that we had strayed from our God and creator, that we are all guilty of breaking the commandments, and that we where lost and could not find our way back. Yet he loves us so much that he gave his life in order to save ours.
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
The Good Shepherd wants to restore you soul. To restore your hope, your confidence and your joy. Is your soul in need of restoration? Are you wanting to return to your creator and maker?
Acts 2:21 ...whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.'
Jesus said:
John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
You may
not know the way, but trust in Christ he knows the way, he has prepared the way,
he will restore your soul.
Let’s Pray
Father God, thank you loving me. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for me. I feel lost and disorientated. Life isn’t what I want it to be, or what it should be.
Please help me and direct me. Be my shepherd. Keep me safe. Guide me to you.
Sorry for the things that I have done wrong. Please forgive me as I ask you to forgive those who have hurt and wronged me.
Amen.
