The Good Shepherd

What do you do when your world comes crashing in around you? Devastating changes and losses cause a lot of emotions in us. We can become angry faster, cry easier and worry a lot.

I know, firsthand, about these types of emotions. I know about haunting fears that creep in and reeling at the prospect of saying goodbye. I know about living with uncertainty, health problems, and loneliness.

Years ago, when I had become too ill to leave home very often…

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… a friend offered to take me for a drive in her convertible car. We drove out into the countryside. I deeply inhaled the fresh air. I could hear the songs of the birds, smell the fresh grass and I began to feel the darkness of loneliness and isolation lingering deep inside me begin to lighten.

At one point, we drove past a field of sheep. I thought about the Good Shepherd watching over all of his sheep and the parable of his willingness to leave the ninety-nine to search for his lost one.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 NLT

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.” Luke 15:4-5 NLT

Sometimes, in the darkness of my sick room, I have felt like the lost one, and I wondered if he remembered me.

Suddenly, right next to the road as we were driving through the countryside, peeking through the fence, I saw the face of a little lamb standing all by itself. My heart soared and I screeched “A lamb!!!!” My friend jumped, and then said with a giggle “You don’t get out much”! Which was true.

But it was also true that being out in nature was waking up my soul. When I saw that lamb standing there, I knew without a doubt that my Shepherd seeks after me and feels as joyful over me, as I felt when I saw that lamb.

You may feel lost right now or stuck in a crevice. You may wonder if anyone has noticed, or if anyone is even looking for you. But you are, and He is. Jesus, the Good Shepherd will lovingly lift you up on his shoulders even in the midst of your weakness and pain.

With this confidence, you are not only lifted up and strengthened, but you can encourage others to have this confidence too. Chances are, you know someone stuck in a crevice next to yours... someone who is feeling alone, lost, and scared. It isn't neccesary for you to have everything fixed or put together in your own life. Even in your own difficulties, you can encourage others with the truths you cling to.

Your Good Shepherd seeks you, sees you, loves you, and lifts you up on His shoulders in the midst of your weakness.