The Sunday school teacher assigned the 23^rd Psalm to Billy to memorize with the goal of reciting it before the congregation.  Try as he might, Billy just couldn’t remember all the verses of this beautiful, comforting prayer.  On the morning of the recitation, Billy stood before the congregation, head high, voice strong and proclaimed, “God is my Shepherd and that’s all I need to know!”

How right he is.  In today’s world, we have little association with sheep and the role of the shepherd. As church goers, we have heard many versions of what the Shepherd will do for us. It is usually in the spiritual sense without much practical meaning in our lives. The sermons gave us comfort knowing the God was looking out for us.  However, the role of the shepherd is much more than just a look-out.

Until I traveled to Ireland in the 80’s, I had no real knowledge about sheep and shepherds.  Traveling along the narrow by-ways of the western coast of Ireland, you cannot help but notice the tiny white dots scattered about on the rocky hills and pastureland.  The sheep!  Lots of them! 

You will also notice that they are painted different colors.  I thought that this would spoil the wool for future use, but I was wrong, the paint does not affect the wool.  The paint is an identification tool indicating owner, gender and vaccinations.   Like a brand-a needed tool to keep the sheep safe and healthy.

Domesticated sheep have been around for thousands of years.  They figure prominently in all aspects of civilization from the mundane to the spiritual.  Ancient people understood the symbolism expressed in Scripture about the role of the Shepherd.  It may be a little less apparent to us until we learn more about sheep and shepherd behavior. 

Sheep have a strong herding mentality, and they are easily influenced.  Often the leader of the flock is the one who moves first, and the others follow.  The leader is not always the wisest. The shepherd, sometimes assisted by a trusty dog, changes the direction of the herd.  The shepherd wants only the best for the flock.  The sheep trust the shepherd with their lives.

Did you know that a lamb may be rejected by the ewe/mother?  The reason does not matter; the reality is that these “bummer lambs” will die without the intervention of the shepherd.  The shepherd holds the lamb close to his heart so that the lamb can hear and feel that beating heart and be comforted.  The shepherd feeds the lamb with his own hand and cherishes this rejected little one.

Our Good Shepherd does not need a color code to identify which sheep are His.  We are all His.  We may be influenced by a convenient leader, but God is always present as a consistent source of sound advice.  God will reach out to each bummer lamb with unconditional love and cherish it forever. 

When you begin to feel like the bummer lamb, turn your ear to God’s heart and be comforted by the love that lasts through any storm.  Feel His arms around you and find a safe harbor.  Trust in that love to bring you off the rugged mountainside and into the joy of His eternal life.

Terri

(Read Psalm 23 and rejoice in God’s unconditional love for all His sheep)