Just be Woolly

I’m sure you’ve heard this line on a Friday night: “Do you know where your children are?” God never has to ask that question because he knows everything about his children, including where and what they are doing.

His Word identifies us as “sheep” because he is our Shepherd. Good shepherds lead the way for their sheep, out of danger or harm’s way, and keep them huddled together safely. Sheep also have a tendency to wander away and get into trouble. Does this remind you of anyone?  Perhaps you’re reminded of a few things from your past that you wish you could go back and do differently? Maybe you have been called “the black sheep of the family”. There are things we thought were good for us, but we now see in hindsight that they were not.  Scripture says, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; 1 Cor 3:19 

Sheep are also restless and weak creatures that need plenty of water. Spiritual hunger and thirst are built into our very being and can only be filled by him, our Saviour. We will always look for something to fill that need. He is the only one who can do this, so we cannot go without him. In dry spells, a sheep may not go to get water. They will surround a tree in a dry place or an empty water trough until they die of thirst. They need someone to lead them beside still water.

John 7:38 says: “He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water; — 

Now, here’s an interesting fact! Sheep cannot get up by themselves. If they fall or cast themselves down, they will lie on their backs with their feet in the air. They will die in this state unless the Shepherd picks them up and sets them back on their feet. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, will always put us back on our feet. He hears our distress call and comes to us, lifting us out of our situation and setting us on our feet.  In real life, the journey may take time to get back on our feet. However, leaning on him and trusting in his perfect will will put us back on our feet.

As I mentioned, if sheep tend to wander away, they can also lose their sense of direction. However, the sheep know and recognize their shepherd’s voice. As God’s children, he calls us his sheep. Like the sheep, we can recognize our Shepherd’s voice and no other master’s voice. The shepherd’s voice brings comfort, clarity and security to the sheep. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Do you need to find your way today? Are you cast down? Have you heard his voice call you today? Let him pick you up and lead you to rest beside still waters. Hear the Shepherd’s voice today.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for picking me up when I fell and leading me beside still waters even when I didn’t realise it. Help me forgive myself for those things in the past I regret and not wander looking back. I want to look forward to where you lead me. Give me a desire to hunger and thirst after you so I may be filled with more of you. Help me hear your voice more clearly and follow your lead each day.

In Jesus’ name, Amen