Sheepdogs

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible has some really good parts, parts that make me feel really warm and fuzzy, parts that totally support my opinions, parts that encourage me when I’m sad, parts that express my joy when everything is going right. The Bible has some other parts that are hard to swallow. Parts that tell me I was out of line, parts that tell me that my opinion is wrong, parts that tell me I need to change my behavior. I would love to focus on the “good” parts and just sweep those other parts under the rug like they don’t matter in my life, like they were probably written for someone else and not for me. But I don’t get to pick and choose which parts to believe. The Bible is the Truth…all of it, every single verse. So if I want to reap the benefits of the good parts, I need to accept the difficult parts as well. And I may need to update my opinions and behavior to match what I’ve learned.

God has often used scripture to tell me what He needs me to know. He has tapped me on the shoulder when I see or hear a verse, and said, “pay attention to this one”. Or He has led me to a certain book of the Bible and said, “read this one next”. His timing is always perfect. The things He needs to show me, that He needs me to know, may be different from what He is teaching someone else right now. But He uses his Word, my current circumstances, a word from a friend, a song on the radio, all to steer me in the direction He needs me to go. Like a shepherd using a sheepdog to run around and push a herd from all different angles. Sometimes a sheep needs a nip on the heels to remind her to get back on the path when she’s drifted to what looks like sweeter grass. Sometimes she ignores the shepherd’s call and tries to strike out on her own. She ends up stuck, and the shepherd has to come find her. Sometimes she thinks she hears the shepherd calling, but it turns out to be a wolf luring her in. She frantically turns around to find the shepherd, and he runs to her rescue. He gets her back on the path and moving forward.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

My path has been laid out since the beginning of time, and He has been working hard to get me to the other end. I get distracted so easily. I am learning to recognize His voice above the noise to try to stay on track…and I fail daily. He has good things planned for me to do, and He knew how long it would take for me to get there, but He never gives up. Jesus, himself, prayed for me in John 17. He prayed for himself and for God’s glory because he knew the crucifixion was near. He prayed for his disciples who would be left behind. And He prayed for all who ever believe. That’s me and you! He prayed for our protection from the evil one, that we will be one with each other and with Him so that the world will believe in Him. He prayed that we will know the Word and be made holy by the Truth. In his darkest hour, Jesus prayed for me. I don’t want to let Him down. So I use those endless second chances to get back on track when I feel a nip at my heels, watching for that sheepdog He uses to push me in the right direction, trying to stay open to direction instead of making a run for it on my own. He knows where the greenest pastures are, so I will keep looking for the Shepherd.

So he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.” John 10:7-9