Do you realize that God looks you over every day, as a shepherd examines his sheep? Ensuring you have access to good pasture and clean water. Providing a secure haven, safe from predators and storms. With knowing eye and gentle hands, He examines every part of your being, from top to bottom, looking for anything out of place. He cares for you as His prized possession.
Like sheep, we sometimes don't understand the Shepherd's care. We fail to understand that when His hand is upon us, He seeks only our good. When He removes something harmful from our lives, we recoil at the momentary discomfort. As He moves us to new pastures, we bleat and stall, often planting our feet and refusing to move.
Our Shepherd, though, knows best. Patiently, ever patiently, He guides us along, speaking soothing words. When we listen, we hear Him, but only when we stop bleating our complaints.
His flock is ever increasing.
Every day, God is seeking to increase His flock. Walking through the wilderness of the world, He calls to those who have no shepherd. Showing them His pastures, His streams, His barns and storehouses, He offers them a better life. Protection. Provision. Promise.
Some come to Him. Sadly, some do not. Always, always, all are accepted who heed His voice. Never once is one turned away.
He seeks the strays.
Even sheep in a flock stray. That is their nature. Our nature.
Mistaking weeds for better pasture, oblivious to the danger of wandering from the flock, we go off on our own. We are not fenced in; rather, He allows us freedom to roam. Our boundaries are well marked, the fields He has chosen for us broad and wide. But like sheep, we are not satisfied with enough. Content to follow the longings in our bellies, we slip away.
The Shepherd, though, knows. His watchful eye misses nothing. When one of His flock goes off alone, He is right behind them. Ever calling, He pursues the wanderer. Not in anger, not in frustration, but in love. Care. Concern. He wishes not for one of His sheep to fall prey to the dangers lurking.
Sometimes the sheep happily return with the Shepherd. Other times He guides them with His staff. Occasionally, when one has strayed too far, He has to carry them home in His arms. Binding their wounds, picking the burrs from their wool, He soothes their fears.
He is not angry, you see. Even in His discipline, He seeks not to do harm. Correcting in love, guiding in care, tears of joy flow down His cheeks.
He has found His stray, and tomorrow, when He tends His flock yet once more, He will do it all again.
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