I am a sheep. I like to think I am something cooler like a dolphin though. Dolphins seem pretty smart. They thrive without need of guidance from outsiders. They are exceptional and unique. Flipper even had a tv show. (Plus if I were a dolphin I could write a best-selling discipleship book called “The Porpoise Driven Life...)
But alas, I am not a dolphin. I am a sheep. A plain, run of the mill, get stuck in a ditch, matted wool, average intelligence sheep. A very-much-in-need-of-a-Shepherd sheep.
This reminder reinforces something vitally important for me to wrap my sheep brain around- that I am not self-sufficient. I like to think I am, but when I proceed under the premise of this delusion, I end up tripped up by pride and caught in a thicket every time. And these humbling moments are when I am most keenly aware of my need for a Shepherd.
But thanks be to God that the Shepherd we have is one who loves the sheep extravagantly. Our Shepherd makes sure we lack nothing. As we lie next to the still waters, bellies full and minds filled with peace, we can do so because of our Shepherd. As we pull up a chair to the banquet table, we do so through the gracious invitation of our Shepherd. And as we battle shame after finding ourselves in the thicket once again, the rod and staff extend as our loving Shepherd rescues us and restores us.
So I encourage you today to embrace the joy of being a sheep and follow the gentle Shepherd all the days of your life.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.