Have you surrendered to the Good Shepherd? Are you content within the sheepfold where you are? While listening to a sermon on Jesus, our Shepherd, the church disappeared, and I saw myself gamboling about with 99 other sheep in a lush green pasture. At first I was very happy, but they ignored me; they didn’t appreciate my gifts. Besides, they bumped into me as though I wasn’t there even accused me of getting in their way and not doing my share to keep up. Well, I thought, I’ll just skip over to that other pasture where the grass looks greener. I hung back, allowing the others to pass me as they followed the shepherd, and when no one was looking I left. They didn’t care anyway. At first I was very happy; there was no one to bump into me or push my buttons. My happiness gave way to fear and sadness when I realized that I was lost; the green grass was gone, and I didn’t know how to get back home. Just as I caved in to self-pity, I saw a person with a staff walking toward me, and my heart lifted when I heard him call my name. The Shepherd had come to get me. That day, I let go of my pride and self-sufficiency. I asked him to forgive me for running away; asked him to who me how to let go of all my hang-ups and insecurities. As he picked me up I began to sing that old song: All to Jesus I surrender; all to him I freely give, I will ever love and trust him, in his presence daily live. I am learning to love the other 99 in my sheepfold just as Jesus loves me, and I will be a blessing to everyone because Jesus is my Shepherd.
PRAYER:
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need. True to Your Word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with You forever in your home. Amen
Scripture Reading
Psalm 23