One of my favorite things to do when we visit our daughter and her family in Dallas is to go out on the driveway and play basketball with the boys. Somehow, I manage to lose most of the time. Of course, the boys do have some unusual rules. I’m not sure their rules would pass NBA scrutiny! Nonetheless, I love playing with them.
One afternoon, once Jake arrived home from school, we were playing a game, Josh and Jake against Mimi. Lila, who is 20 months, was outside as well. Kelly needed to prepare dinner, so she asked if I would keep an eye on her and so I said, “Yes.” The boys and I were in a very intense game with the score neck-in-neck, so I was more into the game than Lila. After a few seconds, I remembered that I was to be keeping an eye on her. I stopped the game, looked around and did not see her anywhere. I called out her name. No answer. So, I called again. At that moment, she popped her little head out from behind the trash cans that were placed by the gate for my son-in-law to put away, once he arrived home. I was so relieved that she had not wandered away into the vast neighborhood, where possible danger awaited her. I was quickly reminded of my responsibility as Lila’s caretaker.
Today, during my quiet time, I was thinking about that afternoon and the Lord used that incident to speak to me. As of late, due to distractions, traveling, busyness of schedule, and choosing sleep over a longer quiet time, I, the little sheep, have wondered from the Shepherd. Just this morning, He gently called my name, put out His hook and drew me back to Him.
The Shepherd’s responsibility is to watch over and care for his sheep. When sheep wander off, which they have a tendency to do, he goes after them. He does not beat them for wandering, but he calls out to them and goes looking for them. Once they are found, he lovingly and gently guides them with his shepherd’s hook back to the fold.
I am so much like the Shepherd’s sheep. I wander off looking for greener grass, wanting to explore what is beyond the pasture, wanting to have my own way. Often, I am drawn away and enticed by “things,” the type of things that pull me away from the protection of my Shepherd.
Lila was just wandering around the yard, exploring her own little world. She had not gone far, for which I was grateful! When I called her name, she recognized it and came to see what Mimi wanted. This morning as I sat reflecting, I realized how much like Lila I am. I have wandered away from the One who is my caretaker, and He has lovingly called me back to Himself!
He brings us back. The Shepherd loves his sheep. He watches over his sheep. In His care there is provision, safety, and protection.
What has caused you to wander away from the Shepherd? Will you continue to wander, being enticed and pulled away by the world, by things, distractions, sleep and busyness? Are you feeling fearful and alone because you have chosen to wander away from the protection of your Shepherd?
He is calling you. He is drawing you to Himself. Return!
Father, forgive me for wandering away from you. I am so prone to wander, and yet You are so faithful to call out to me, to come looking for me and draw me back to Yourself, my Shepherd. Often, I feel like the “black” sheep in the fold, yet I know you love all Your sheep, even those who tend to wander away. Help me to resist the pull and the enticement of things, such as greener pastures. Thank you for the love, safety and protection You give to this your little black sheep.
“For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.” Ezekiel 34:11-12 NKJV
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:11-16