“I am the good
shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is
not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he
abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters
it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the
sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me -- just as
the Father knows me and I know the Father -- and I lay down my life for the
sheep.” John 10:11-15 (NIV)
Ruby read her daily
devotional and smiled because it reminded her of a recent children’s class she
had taught. During the lesson on “the good shepherd,” she had said, “Sheep
always obey the shepherd because he feeds them, gives them water to drink, and
protects them from danger. They trust the shepherd and follow him everywhere,
don’t they?”
Aubrey, a
boisterous, out-spoken, young boy blurted out, “Not if they have an attitude!” Ruby had laughed and
replied, “That’s right. Sometimes sheep do have an attitude. They wander away
from the flock. They will butt the shepherd away when he tries to help them.
And sheep generally frustrates the shepherd. But he loves them anyway. He even
gives his life for them.”
Suddenly, Ruby came
out of her reverie. The Lord’s words had gotten her attention. She wondered how
many times she had failed to trust the Lord and follow his direction. Like an
unruly sheep, did she have an attitude? Christ, the Good Shepherd, had given
his life for her. How could she not trust and follow him? Humbly, she knelt at
her chair and asked God to forgive her failures. She asked him to deliver her
from the temptation of her attitudes.
Dear Father, thank
you for being our Shepherd. Deliver us from the sins that do so easily entangle
us. Enable us to trust and follow you always. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
AMEN
What is your
attitude? Do you trust him?
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