A Good Shepherd Leads His Sheep & Goats
Here I go again with more inspiration from “the tales of Bryson”. My youngest grandson’s life is consumed with the great outdoors and his animals, so of course, his live-stock causes my mind’s “ticker tape” to keep rolling!
His priority is his animals’ care and he loves it when I help him feed them at the corral or when he moves his goats and donkeys over to the pasture area that has plenty of “greens” for them to consume during the day. It’s a hoot to watch the goats, even with so much grass around to eat – that they still stand on their hind legs to get to the tastiest treats from the trees.
Those animals know their master. When he calls – even the donkeys, go running to him. Of course they do, they live the high life. Even neighboring families will stop by the fences and bring food to them. They are so well cared for and so well-protected. At evening time, Bryson brings them back from the pasture to the corral because predators can show up over there at nighttime. They are pampered and well fed, even if they don’t go over to the green pastures. They are protected and out of danger. Their shepherd, Bryson, is good and loves them all.
My scripture readings lately have referenced the Shepherd and His sheep, so with the inspirations of these chickens, longhorn, goats and donkeys, plus these scriptures, I can’t help but want to hang as close as I can to MY Shepherd.
Those of us who know our Good Shepherd – are like those animals in Bryson’s loving care. When we are hanging close to our Shepherd – we can rest in knowing – even in storms – He is right there with us — tenderly loving and guiding us.
But, then what about the sheep and other animals who have no shepherd and are in places that are open-prey to ravenous creatures and deadly storms? How do they come into the fold?
It’s so simple — surrender to the care of THE Good Shepherd Who lovingly welcomes them into His watchful care. Jesus does. He shares something central to a life of peace and contentment. He says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” (John 10:11) Like a shepherd, He leads, feeds, protects and saves His sheep. How can He be so unrelenting in love for us?
And the answer has always been the same — simple, yet profound — God IS love. It is Who He is. He can’t stop loving us. We are His children, and we are the sheep of His pasture.
As, one of those well-fed, cared for, protected and pampered sheep, I delightfully proclaim: “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for He is with me. His rod and His staff — they comfort me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He anoints my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalms 23.
And, He welcomes you to be loved and cared for in His green pastures, too!