A SHEPHERD AND HIS FLOCK

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  NIV

I am fresh in from our pasture where we have sheep.  Three in fact.  All ewes, and all always looking for a handout of food.  Not love, pats, or attention.  F. O. O. D.

These girls get fed twice a day, and it is left there for the duration of the day for their perusal, along with their pasture mate, a mare pony.  You’d think they were satisfied.

As soon as they hear me, the bucket, the gate, the mama of the flock makes a beeline to me.  Her daughters will pause, then come if they see if I have what they are wanting. 

Today, I had the wheel barrel because I had scrapings of alfalfa I needed to get to our piglets, as well as some blueberries, and pig feed.  It was as if I was calling in the hounds!  Seriously.  It was everything I could do to keep them from coming out of the gate; keeping their faces out of my wheel barrel; keeping them out of the pigpen; keeping them out of the red feed bucket!  Even as I was done doing my chores, the mama was choking herself on the wheel barrel because she was trying to get at the fed can.  Silly sheep.

Oh, that we would run after our Good Shepherd in such a fashion.  When we hear Him, off in a distance, would we run to Him, lickety-split, and go where He is going, follow where He is leading.  Even if it is to a pigpen.

Sheep know their Shepherd’s voice.  I have proven this to be true.  Those of us who live, and have lived on Orchard House Farm, have familiar voices to the sheep.  We have had these three for over 5 years, and they could be called mutton – but don’t say that to them, or even out loud!

If a stranger were to come, sheep are skeptical – until they see the familiar red feed can (it’s an old coffee container).  Then the sheep come running.  Albeit cautiously at first. 

Do we do the same thing?

If someone comes with something familiar and that person is not my Shepherd, do I run, and accept what is being handed out?  Have I heard the Shepherd’s voice?  Have I seen Him in sight, in my pasture, in my life?  This is a good question to ask.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.  Therefore do not be partners with them.  Ephesians 5:6  NIV

Yikes.  This is a stern warning, and one which should be heeded.  Paul carefully spells out what we are to do and how we are to act.  Carefully, cautiously, and with much discernment.

God gave Solomon wisdom and very good insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.  1 Kings 4:29  NIV

We, as sheep, are not left to our own devices.  We are given what we need to survive, walk, and live in our pasture.  We are given:

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth.”  John 14:16  NIV

Jesus gives us this promise – the gift of the Holy Spirit who will fill us and be all we need to navigate through this life.  We have multiple pastures to choose – He will lead us to the green ones.  Peaceful streams are here, but which ones are meant for us?

And that banquet in front of our enemies?  The Spirit gets us all ready for our Host, the Shepherd, to lavish us with His goodness, His servanthood, His love.  We are led to a place where only those who follow the Shepherd can go.  And it is a beautiful, peaceful place.

Are you void of peace?  Lacking direction?  Eating out of the wrong red feed can?  May I suggest you look where you are at the moment and see if you are where you should and need to be.  Have we allowed deception to cloud our vision and our hearing?  Are we accepting food from strangers who are distorting the Truth?  Are we praying constantly for wisdom, insight, understanding and do we seek a daily filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)?

Start here.  Take stock of your life with Jesus at its current place.  Are there any adjustments needing to be made?  Any sins repented of?  Any lies dispelled?  Let us do what we need to so we can enjoy the sweet fellowship with our Shepherd as He makes His way in our pasture, with goodness, mercy, love and so much more following with Him.

PRAYER

Oh Father. You are so good and Jesus, my Shepherd, You are enough. I am sorry for need listening for Your voice. And because I do not listen, I do not follow. And then, I am lost. I repent. Forgive my stubborn heart and my stubborn ways. I earnestly desire to know You, know Your voice and follow You all the days of my life. I want to eat out of Your hand and not a red feed can filled with lies. I want to run to You when I hear Your footsteps. I want to give You an open invitation to my pasture, and let You do what Shepherds do best and are meant to do: take good care of sheep. I pray this sincerely with a submissive heart and in Your name.