Crossing with the Shepherd

All through the scripture we are referred to as sheep. When you research the characteristics of sheep you will find some stark similarities and see why we are compared to this interesting animal.

Sheep without a shepherd are hopeless and helpless. They must have a shepherd. They have no means to defend themselves from predators. They cannot climb a tree to get away. They have no claws to fend off aggressors. They will walk straight into danger. If they get on their back they cannot get back on their feet without help. Sound familiar?

In my reading about these helpless creatures I found it very interesting how the shepherd takes his flock across the water. He will go across in front, leading his flock with the assistance of his dogs, who come alongside and from behind.

The older, experienced sheep, who have learned to stay close to the shepherd, will just go straight into the water behind their beloved shepherd and safely make it to the other side. Their experience with the shepherd has obviously proven that the shepherd will never lead them astray. Staying close brings safety and peace.

Those who are younger and have a history of wandering a bit, not staying close to the shepherd, will enter the water expecting problems.  Their hesitancy can sweep them off their feet and down the river. Hopefully, they will get a footing and make it ashore where they stand helpless and separated from the flock. The shepherd will eventually gather them across, waiting to allow a time of desperation and no doubt, bleating for help!  Hopefully, they will keep closer to their shepherd in the future.

The inexperienced lambs will be herded across behind the shepherd by the dogs. They can be heard bleating in terror as they are driven to dip and leap into the water. They are young enough that they can do nothing really, but be pushed across. Should one of these babes be swept away, the shepherd will run immediately to its rescue, lifting it out of the water and carrying it close to him, to safety.

Once they are across, the older sheep will come close to the shepherd as they know who brought them safely across. The little ones will leap around and bleat in celebration that they are safe. So young yet, that they will forget on future crossings and have to be rescued a time or two before wisdom will tell them the importance of following the shepherd closely.  A memory no doubt that will help them in future travels across water.

Do you see anything in the behaviors of sheep that resembles your life?

As a little child, I was led joyfully to my first experiences with Jesus, by my grandmother. Sunday school and singing the beloved song, “Jesus Loves Me” was a fun experience and stayed always in my mind. As I grew and my grandmother moved away, the influence of my early “Lamb Years” moved me farther away from the Shepherd. The world and greener pastures began to look interesting and I wandered from the shepherd and the flock, where safety abounds. I had not committed my life to the shepherd. Choosing to make my way alone.

Real life began for me. In my wandering I experienced problems, difficult decisions, pain, the influence of a world that did not care one iota about my well being. I was like a lost sheep wandering around in a place full of predators and danger, totally helpless. Then at eighteen years of age, I joined the flock and committed to follow the shepherd. He led me deep into the water to come up anew, changed forever.

As I have grown older, though I have stayed close to the shepherd,  I have still encountered danger in the forms common to all of us in this world.  The difference? It is in those times that he reaches for me and hooks the crook of his staff around my neck and pulls me closer to him. To safety and care that only he can provide.

I am now considered one of the “older” sheep in the flock. My history has endeared me to my shepherd and me to him. He has never once left me, he comforts me during the difficult days and nights that sheep who live in a dangerous and evil world will encounter. I am so convinced of his care and love for me, that I cannot and will not stray from him, as in the days of my youth.

My goal now? To walk along the young sheep and lambs in my own flock and encourage them to stay close and follow the shepherd. He will always care for them and never lead them astray. I pray daily that they will always stay close and find wisdom to make their own water crossings safely to the other side.

Scripture for Today:

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Prayer for Today:
Hello Father! Thank you for Jesus who is our Good Shepherd. He cares daily for us. Though we wander from him,  He always knows where we are and will pursue us relentlessly until hopefully we return to him and safety. Our prayer today is for those sheep who have leapt onto a ledge for greener grass and cannot get back to safety. May the Good Shepherd climb down and lift them back to safety of the flock, at his side. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.