I read something fascinating this week. In the British Isles, a sheep was found after hiding out in a cave for a total of six years. The fleece on the sheep continued to grow over those six years since it was not near a shearer. When the sheep was finally found, he was carrying 60 pounds of wool on his body with wool practically covering his face. Shepherds sheared off 60+ pounds of wool (as a comparison an average weight of shearing is ten pounds). For six years this sheep carried a heavy burden all because he was away from his shepherd. In 28 minutes, enough wool was removed to suit 20 men. This was made possible because he came home to his shepherd.
I can relate to this story on many levels. I have been lost … I have been away … and I have carried some heavy burdens. Luke 15:4 says: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’”
Whenever I feel lost and gone astray, I know I need to go home to the Shepherd. Throughout scripture we are reminded that we are like sheep who need a shepherd. Psalm 95:7: “For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice.”
God rejoices when the lost are found. A good shepherd will head out to find his lost sheep. When found, the shepherd is not upset. He doesn’t scold the sheep. He is happy. In the same way, God rejoices when He finds us, rescuing us from harm.
When sheep are lost, the shepherd does not wait for the sheep to find their way home, but goes out to find them. God pursues us. God initiates the personal relationship we have with Him. He calls to us through the Holy Spirit, drawing us closer and closer to Him.
A.W. Tozer wisely commented: “The only safe place for a sheep is by the side of his shepherd, because the devil does not fear sheep; he just fears the Shepherd, that is all.”
Don’t you think it’s time to come home?Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com.
Tagged: fear and worry, scripture
