Sheep

  Good morning, Friends! Today, I’m thinking about something that probably doesn’t cross your mind often: sheep. 

  I don't know a lot about sheep, but I think they are something like dogs in that, they know, love, and follow their shepherd. They enjoy being around the person who cares for them, and they feel safe and loved being with the shepherd. In present day America, we may not see a whole lot of shepherds traveling around with their sheep. We have fences and barns, and there is not as much need for a person to stand watch over the flock constantly. But several thousand years ago, the people of Israel certainly would have understood the need for shepherds, and they would have grasped the special relationship between the shepherd and his flock, because this was a way of life for many of them. 

  This morning I was reading Psalm 23, and I was struck by the first verse. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." I was amazed by the thought of the special relationship the shepherd has with his sheep, and what that means for us. I started thinking about the way my dog treats me when I come home each day.  She is so excited to see me, she runs to me and shows me all the toys she has been playing with, and wherever I am in the house she is continually by me or on my lap. She never leaves my side when I am home. She is always watching from the window when I’m gone, and when I return she runs to the door. There is a very special bond there, and I imagine this is something like what David had in mind when he talked about the Lord being our shepherd. We should be so excited to be in the presence of our God, and we should do all we can to spend time with Him.

  Additionally, my dog has this habit of bringing me everything. Even things she is not allowed to have.  Each new toy or item she finds has to be brought to me to be inspected. And although she does not like when I take things from her, she continues to bring me items anyway. She has no fear of showing me what she's up to. And I think this is something we miss with God.  We don't necessarily think to bring before God each new  situation in our lives. Sometimes we even avoid bringing God our "things"  because we know He might ask us to put them down because they aren't good for us. But, the Lord is our shepherd, our guardian, and He always has our best interest in mind. We should be excited to go to Him knowing that He will only do that which will benefit us. 

  I think if we get back to being a little bit more "doglike" or "sheeplike" in our relationship with God, we will be much better off for it. We need to love Him, follow Him, and trust Him as our shepherd. This week, take a close look at your attitude toward your relationship with God. Are you excited to be with Him?  Start directing your time and intentionally bringing Him your thoughts, ideas, feelings, and each aspect of your life so He can direct you in what is good for you.  Make it a great week friends. I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W.