"The third time He said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love Me?'
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love Me?'
He said, 'Lord, You know all things, You know that I love You.'
Jesus said, 'Feed My sheep.'"
John 21:17
Since I only see sheep from a distance or in photos and drawings, I tend to picture them as serene grass nibblers who congregate around their shepherd. However, the sheep in the photo to the right looks more like his less romanticized cousin, the goat, wearing a fleece boa. I long to live up to Jesus' call both to follow Him and to feed His sheep but I've got work to do in the field of living meekly and mildly. The close company of Jesus' fluffy flock can lead to serious goat behavior and head-butting when we change directions to go our own ways. In our certainty of where God wants His flock we each take our own shortcut, pulling lambs less attuned to the Master's Voice and a few sheep who are just too lazy to strain for His Voice with us. If we don't realign ourselves behind our Shepherd/Savior, the "greener pasture" we chased turns out to be astro-turf and we end up feeling, well, sheepish. Jesus described flock life the way it should be with His sheep:
"When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them,
and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." John 10:4
In unity, the flock should flock after One Voice, moving like the wool train of the Shepherd's robe, trusting He knows where the still water and green grass lie. We're to move together as one following Him as we live humbly, patiently, gently, peacefully and lovingly with the rest of the flock. We're not to clique or criticize, abandon or avoid. We're not to feed the cutest, cuddliest lambs and let the less adorable members of the flock fend for themselves. We're to keep feeding all His sheep . . .
"And Jesus has some extraordinarily funny sheep, some bedraggled, dirty sheep, some awkward, butting sheep, some sheep that have gone astray!" (Chambers)
"As a prisoner of the Lord, then I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit -- just as you were called to one hope when you were called -- one Lord , one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:1-6
Dearest Shepherd, thank You for loving this headstrong "funny sheep" who keeps running ahead of or away from You. Thank You for Your gentleness, patience and love in the way You lead me and then come after me when I wander off on my own quests. Forgive me for stubbornly thinking I know best. Help me humble myself to follow You and to feed any and all of Your sheep. Lead Your church in unity as we learn to discern Your Voice from all others.
In the Name of Jesus, the Good Shepherd with the Voice uniquely suited to call and speak to our hearts.
Inspired by Jesus Calling and My Utmost for His Highest
photos from photobucket.com
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