Sheep Have it Made

Did you have a pet when you were younger? Perhaps a dog or a cat or a horse?

I had a pig. His name was George. My sister, Julie, also had a pet pig. It was also named George. (Our dad’s name was George. I know. I don’t understand it either.)

My goodness, how we worked at taking care of those pigs. One lesson I learned very quickly in my pet pig season was that it was very hard to keep it clean. When we prepared to show them in 4-H competitions, I would brush and scrub and sprinkle baby powder on mine. Julie would clean hers real good and then rub oil all over its back.

May I share photos? Ok. Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pig is obviously knowing for snorting and rolling around in the mud. It is very hard to ride, and I don’t recall ever having a loving, let me just stand here and pet my pig moment. There were times when I wished I could have had a sheep as a pet instead. They just seemed more … I don’t know, cleaner? More docile? Quieter?

And sheep are noted regularly throughout the Bible, right? Pigs? Not so much.

I’m here for all the lessons we learn in The Good Book about what it means to be a sheep with Jesus as our Shepherd. And let me tell you. When you’re feeling out of sorts, lost, or fearful, it’s good to remember what it means to be loved by the Good Shepherd.

David reminds us in Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
Right there we are named. We are his. He is our shepherd. And that means we have everything that a shepherd offers.

If your hope has drifted off for a bit, or your worries have kicked your peace out the door and they’ve taken over the living room, remember …

For real, friend. Remember …

A shepherd always knows where his sheep are.
God knows exactly what’s going on in your heart. Your situation. Your life.
He has not stepped over you to get to someone else. He has not left you.

A shepherd makes sure the sheep are safe.
You are never alone. He guards you. Protects you.

A shepherd guides the sheep to where they need to go.
God is not going to leave you wondering what you’re supposed to do like you’re playing some kind of TV game show. (You can only move on if you answer the question right.) You won’t ever hear the buzzer that kicks you out of the game. He will show you where you need to go and when you need to go there.

A shepherd makes sure the sheep have access to everything they need.
Food, shelter, protection, water, guiding. He offers a complete package.
Take another look at Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (I have everything that I need.) That is a promise that cannot and will not be broken.

Maybe the best reminder about Our Good Shepherd is that He sacrificed His life so we can have a rich, abundant, full life.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

I’ve learned that quite often, the best way for me to move from worry and frustration and sadness is to turn to The One who can heal my heart and tell me how to keep going.

May I suggest that you read Psalm 23 today. Read it from the perspective of knowing that you are loved by The Great Shepherd, and He is for you.
And then, read it again.

Having a pet pig was fun, challenging, and it made my dad proud.
But knowing that I have a Shepherd who cares for me more than I can imagine?
That brings me life.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything that I need.