The One About Sheep Paths...and Good Shepherds (Another Lesson From Israel)

(Psalm 23:1 in Hebrew)

One of my side ministries, when I’m home and available, is counseling.

Years ago, I got my masters degree, but use it more as a tool for encouraging and coming alongside, than the true definition of the word: to provide advice or a course of action.

That is so not me, and, besides, who am I to tell someone what decision they should make?

That said, there are a few young gals with whom I regularly meet and have grown to love. 

I consider it a joy to connect with these gals, and as mentioned, it is a ministry, not a paid vocation. 

Shortly after we arrived back home a couple of weeks ago, I was meeting with one of these young women, and another little spontaneous teaching (from our Israel trip) popped back into my head.

I've found it strange how randomly little lessons show up and are applicable.

(A Bedouin sheep camp) 

Regardless, at the time I thought, “I’ll wager we all need to be reminded of the truth of this little story at one time or another.”

Maybe now is that time, or perhaps tuck it away, as I did in Israel, only to have it resurface when needed.

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Before the teaching, let me explain where my young "mentoree" was struggling.

Very bravely, she has admitted that she is isn’t sure she wants to be a Jesus-follower.

She’s thinking about it.

She’s talked to several people.

But, she says she’s unwilling to surrender yet…

I love that she knows and admits to this truth.

When asked what the road-block was to giving her life to Jesus, she confessed that she wasn’t at all sure that she would like the “path” that Jesus would take her on…

Would she end up having to give up certain things she loved….  ???

Would He call her to be a missionary somewhere she didn’t want to go….  ???

How would her life have to change…and would it be in unappealing ways….  ???

I’ve known several in the past with that same mindset; but...

...when she used the word “path,” that’s when I thought of what follows here.

Before I begin, a side note.

I think we all struggle, at one time or another, with being 100% sold out, even after we’ve given our lives to the Lord.

We all wonder from time to time if God’s ways really are the better ways?

Are His paths really good?

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On one of our trips to somewhere, our bus driver stopped alongside the highway, and we all piled out and sat on a hillside, overlooking a little valley below.

There were two shepherds in the field, along with several sheep and a few goats.

Behind us was an old sheep-fold, a cave-like structure, where a shepherd, at one time or another, kept his younger sheep to protect from wild animals, or from the possibility of wandering off.

It was nice to be taking a break, but the “sit-on-the-hillside,” soon became another teachable moment for our group.

It felt rather Jesus-like. 

Jesus regularly used what was at-hand-and-in-the-moment to instruct His disciples.

In this instance, our guide was doing the same…

And, this little segment in time obviously resonated with my heart.

As we watched the shepherds begin to lead their sheep, our guide asked, “Do you know how to tell whether a shepherd is a good shepherd or not?”

Remember Psalm 23 - “The Lord is my shepherd…”

Remember Jesus’ statement (John 10:1-16) - “I am the good shepherd…”

A good shepherd always leads his sheep.

A bad shepherd drives his sheep - pushes them from behind - and often throws rocks at them to get them where he wants them to go.

A good shepherd calls his sheep by name.

He knows his sheep - all of them - individually. 

“In fact,” said our guide, “one shepherd, a friend, swears he can be blindfolded, have his sheep brought to him one at a time, and he can tell simply by feeling their face, which sheep is in his hands.

(OK...does that not just do something in your heart? Just the picture of it!)

A good shepherd knows the land.

He has covered the ground and knows the perfect way to lead the sheep so they will not be injured. 

And, the good shepherd always leads them along the same route time and again, because it has been proven true.

The sheep will follow the shepherd.

They will wear a path in the grass, because they are willing to go the same direction, behind the shepherd ---- EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Not so the goats; they are independent.

They don’t necessarily want to follow the shepherd.

They will go any direction they please….and, often find themselves in precarious places, getting injured…or worse.

“Do you know,” asked the guide, “what the shepherds call the paths the sheep follow?”

Um…………..paths?

Yes, but more. They are:

“Paths of Righteousness!”

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Let this sink in as a Lenten reflection.

(Again, doesn't that just stir your soul? Paths of Right Living... 

"He leads me along paths of righteousness, for His name's sake..." It's a real thing...)

The Lord Jesus is our shepherd.

He KNOWS us!

Even blind-folded, He recognizes us by the shape of our face.

He leads us, His sheep, to fresh pasture, beside still waters, where we can rest, refresh, and never want for a thing.

He doesn’t drive us…

Isn't cruel to us...

Doesn't throw stones at us...

Takes care to take care of us...

Our shepherd is calling us by name to follow Him.

Why?

Because His ways are true and righteous altogether!

He knows the way that we should take…and that is the way He will lead us.

No, He doesn’t promise it will always be easy.

Sometimes the path follows steep and rocky hillsides.

But where He leads is always best…because He is GOOD; and, most of all, at the heart of His character is LOVE.

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Can't we trust this kind of a shepherd in ALL THINGS and in ALL OUR WAYS?

Then, let's follow Him along Paths of Righteousness...

...for His Name's sake: His reputation,  His honor, His glory is at stake!

He certainly won't take us anywhere He is not with us, nor anywhere we won't find good pasture at the end.

Like Job, may we say: 

I have held fast to His steps; I have kept to His paths and have not turned aside.