Monday, December 10, 2012

Not just someone to believe in

[From Oct. 15, 2012]

"For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls."
(1 Peter 2:25)

I've had the pleasure of spending a month in England on 2 separate occasions.  Both times in the beautiful LAKE DISTRICT in the Northern part of the country.  Along with amazing mountains, valleys & lakes, there are lots of sheep there.  LOTS!  I'd never really been around sheep until those two months of visits.  It's helped me better understand all of the sheep/shepherd imagery of the Bible. 

Sheep aren't the smartest animals in the pen, so to speak.  They focus on their own needs all the time - roaming to wherever their stomachs take them.  It's easy for them to be separated from the flock and put in danger - if there's no shepherd to watch over them.  England is full of rock walls and wooden fences meant to keep sheep where they need to be.  But nothing beats an active shepherd's presence.

The author of 1 Peter reminds us how similar we are to sheep.  We wander & stray.  We focus on ourselves - and it often gets us into trouble.  But there is hope!  Jesus stands waiting for us.  He's not just "someone to believe in," he's The Shepherd and Guardian of Our Souls.  He will keep us close and safeguard our spirit - no matter what life may bring.  That's priceless!  Why wouldn't we align our lives with him?

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