WRITTEN BY DR. JIM GRASSI
Sheep often get themselves into perilous situations. They typically aren’t smart and must rely on the vigilance of the shepherd for their very survival. The shepherd leads, comforts, provides for, and directs the sheep for their good. On one of my trips to New Zealand, I came upon a scene that underscores this point.
I was hunting in a vast area on the North Island for Sika Deer and took a break, using my binoculars to view the surrounding terrain. In the distance, I saw a shepherd with a large flock of sheep. As he moved them from one pasture to another, all but two sheep followed him. He closed the gate and peered upon the ridge about seven hundred yards from his position. Noticing the two stragglers, he knew they were vulnerable to attack. One was oblivious to the fact the other sheep had left. The other was bleating as it struggled to get its foot out of a crack in a rock.
The shepherd sent his dog up to the sheep farthest from him. It quickly sensed that the herd was gone and followed the dog back to the shepherd. The other did not budge, even when the dog appeared and barked, coaxing the sheep to follow. I imagined the shepherd lamenting his climb to fetch the bewildered sheep from its stuck position. Once the shepherd reached the sheep and freed its foot, the sheep froze in fear. The shepherd nudged it with a kick to its hind quarters, but the sheep became more fearful. Finally, the shepherd flung the sheep over his shoulders, carried it down the hill, and placed it into the new pasture with the other sheep. It was when the sheep was with its mates that it became relaxed and took off frolicking with them.
Analogously, when we get separated from our Lord and other believers, we can become vulnerable to the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil. And with all that’s happening in our world today, we can quickly become fearful or anxious. We are easily distracted and can become trapped in our preoccupation with all the junk around us. In such a state, we feel abandoned and joyless.
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5b).
It is not that our Great Shepherd has abandoned us, it is that we have stopped paying attention to where He is leading us.
Scripture Reading: John 10:27-28
Personal Application: Like the Shepherd who carried his sheep to safety, trust in our Lord to carry you when you are fearful or feel stuck in your present situation. Which sheep in the story most parallels your posture with God today? How can you be sure you’re paying attention to where He is leading you?
- Taken in part from The Great Shepherd: A Psalm of Calm in a Time of Chaos by Dr. Jim Grassi
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5