He Tends His Flock

“He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to his heart He gently leads those who have young.”  Isaiah 40:11

The following is an unedited post I wrote in 2019

We have 5 sheep. Why? I’m not sure. Sometimes I wonder if it’s to remind me of what I am like and what God is like as our shepherd. The sheep are never satisfied….always wanting something different than what they already have. They wander around aimlessly clearly lost on their own. Even with their complaints, demands,  and silliness, I can’t help but love them.

I enjoy walking on our land and since our sheep are free range right now, they often come along with me. They will go anywhere I go, totally trusting that I will take care of them. Knowing that I will take care of them, they are able to relax and enjoy the walk. If they wander ahead a bit and then hear a strange sound in the bush, they run back and crowd around close to me for safety. I desire to have this same trust with Jesus.

Occasionally on my walk, I will get stuck behind the sheep on a narrow part of the trail. I have tried pushing them and persuading them to continue on the trail ahead of me. They don’t budge! I need to push my way through them to the front and allow them to follow me. When this happens, it makes me think about how Jesus leads us, and will not push us.  “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23: 1-3 We can find peace and rest for our hearts when we follow God as our shepherd.  His desire is that we follow His ways and live in His safety. He will never push us.

*new addition

For many years, it was very difficult for me to see, never mind accept, this precious love, compassion, guidance, and care that God offers us. I saw God as a domineering, controlling guy that would be angry at me if I went "out of line". Seeing Him like this shaped my every day. Reading the Bible was difficult for me, as all I saw was this scary God.

I read the Bible through this lens. One day I had a thought. "Maybe what I believe about God has been told to me by man and may not be an accurate picture of who He is. I am going to read the Bible, and put aside all the programming I have about God and really try to see WHO HE IS. Then I can decide whether or not I would like to serve him." I was amazed! Slowly, He showed me, and is still showing me who He is. He is not the scary domineering God I thought he was. Getting to know God has been life transforming. I can actually say and mean it with all my heart that He is a good God. Seeing him as our protector and rescuer, picturing Him leading us and giving us what we need (not always what we want), and knowing that He wants to BE WITH us just hanging out is so beautiful. He delights over us with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) Another Bible verse I think of often is: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”John 10:27 As we are interacting with those around us and going about our daily lives, we will know His voice and when we hear it, we can trust it. “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go” whether to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21. I hope you find comfort in picturing God as your good shepherd. The entire Psalm 23 passage is so amazing to meditate on. When I am going through a rough patch, I find great comfort in reading it, allowing it to direct my thoughts, and then surrendering to a God that cares so much.