O - What a great ending to the longest chapter the Scriptures hold. It expresses the necessary interface between us and the Lord, us and his word, us and his activity and between us and ourselves. Even with the best intensions we can drift (stray like a lost sheep). The lost sheep is not a rogue animal or one who has no owner. Rather, it’s ignorance and inabilities have rendered it more vulnerable than usual and its designed need of a shepherd is even more pronounced. At our best, we will still consistently need the Lord, the Shepherd, the Good One, to seek us out … even when we are remembering his commands and seeking him. We are always at risk to keep the words and lose their meaning.
A - Recognizing, embracing and living out loud the truth about ourselves and our need of the Lord is the point. As his sheep I will always have certain points of ignorance and inability which will put me at risk even when I think I'm at no risk. This reality is reality and I get to live in the open admission and embrace of my desperate and ongoing need of Jesus. Literally, apart from him I can do nothing!
P - Dear Shepherd of the Sheep,
Thank you for loving us/me as we are … sheep who will always need a shepherd. No matter how long I've been in the flock, no matter how familiar the way, the routine, the pastures, I am every day in desperate need of you and your shepherding of my life. Forgive my moments of self-reliance, self-assuredness and self-preservation. I want to rely on you, be assured by your presence and trust your awesome will and person; and to do this not only in the preservation of my well-being but of all who are with me. Lord, thank you for letting me love you back. Thank you for loving and wanting me/us no matter what. Lead on … I will follow (even when I think I know the way).
Steve
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