Do you ever feel like you are meandering through life with no direction or guidance? Getting turned around with every twist and turn in the road? Sheep roam in the fields or on mountains looking for the next green patch of grass or the next crystal clear stream. They are by nature meanderers. So, it is not shocking when one sheep gets separated from the flock. Thus the need for shepherds.
Many places in the Bible we are referred to as "little sheep" or "lambs". And it also tells us that we are not to be as sheep that have no shepherd (Numbers 27:17). Without a shepherd, we are afraid, terrified and we go missing (Jeremiah 23:4) And when we are lost, we are like sheep roaming on the tops of mountains (Jeremiah 50:6).
But God has given us provision for the lost. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10. How amazing is that? A true shepherd will leave the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep. And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and carries it home. And then once he's home, he calls his friends and neighbors and rejoices that he found his one lost sheep. And there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:1-7)
We need the guidance of not just any shepherd....THE GOOD SHEPHERD who knows his sheep (John 10:14) and gives his life for them (John 10:11).
So, what do we do when we find ourselves meandering in circles like a sheep with no shepherd? We cry out to him and he will show us the path of life (Psalm 16:11). And we stay in his Word for it is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105).
© 2011 Stephanie Kepler
No comments:
Post a Comment