I am the good shepherd. I lay down my life for the sheep…I know my own and my own know me. John 10:11,14.
When I was a country pastor in WA in the 1990’s, there were lots of farmers who had sheep, but only one of our many farming members actually enjoyed sheep work. The rest looked after their sheep and tolerated them, but they would rather have managed without them if they could have. They didn’t take it too kindly if a big sheep knocked them over in a pen, or if a mob broke away and doubled back, as they were being shifted from one paddock to another, with the farmer driving behind them in the ute. With hundreds of sheep in a mob, the only ones they would know would be the occasional orphaned lamb that they had raised and bottle fed, before putting it back with the flock.
Even in Palestine today, the shepherd walks in front of the sheep, and knows each one by name. That is the picture Jesus used for his connection with us. His relationship with us is personal, he knows us by name, and he will not sacrifice us to protect himself. He will not swear at us if we do something wrong.
Keep listening to the voice of Jesus. It is never attacking or belittling. If you are hearing messages like that, they don’t come from God. I also know that some physical or emotional upset can colour our whole existence. We tend to close in on ourselves, and that can make it harder for us to hear Jesus offering us comfort or hope.
In Practice: Stick with your regular, daily devotional practice, whatever it might be.
Pray very personally. Tell the Good Shepherd how you are at this moment, and what is on your heart or dominating your thoughts.
Take time to be outside, and just enjoy a moment of being aware of something around you: the breeze, a flower or tree, the feel of the sun on you, clouds carrying rain.
Listen for a word from the Good Shepherd. It might come from Scripture, it might come through a professional, or someone around you. You will hear it, and you will know it is a word for you. Then act on it. Do something positive.
