Hey, Bible study friend!
I don’t know about you, but I love the comparison Psalm 23 presents of God caring for us like a shepherd cares for his sheep. It’s such a beautiful image of God’s control over our lives! God is our Shepherd who cares for, loves, guides and protects us.
The characteristics that make up a good shepherd are not lost on me. I know what that looks like, can visualize it, and find peace in the fact the ultimate Shepherd calls us His. However, though it’s easy for me to accept God’s role as Shepherd over my life, if someone asked me if I could be any animal in the world, what would I be, a sheep wouldn’t make the list!
When thinking of sheep, the first words that come to mind are dense, fearful, follower, easily distracted. Characteristics I don’t desire to have used to describe me! I’ve always seen sheep as something to try to be less like — less distracted, afraid, needy, etc. But now I realize my perception has been wrong.
What I needed to hear, and maybe you do, too, is ... It’s okay to be a sheep. It’s okay to not have it all together and to need a Shepherd. While the words used to describe a sheep may not sound great, in reality, they describe me. Without a Shepherd to follow I become lost, fearful, and wander around without purpose. I need Him as my shepherd and I want to be one of His sheep.
God created us to be His sheep, and our job is to accept our role as one. He will guide our steps. We don’t have to feel isolated or lonely or figure things out on our own. Like Jennifer Rothschild writes in Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me:
“We are not alone because He is our very own.”
Where are you with the idea of being a sheep? Are you okay with it? Are you wondering what exactly your role as a sheep looks like? Well, guess what! Tomorrow, on Day 3 of our study books, we will be taking a closer look at just that, which will hopefully leave us eager to embrace this role as our very own.
Can’t wait to chat in the comments!
Anna
Reflect and Respond:
What’s been your initial perspective of sheep and how has your perspective changed?
All comments will be entered into this week's giveaway!
You’re Invited!
We’re kicking off Session 1 of our Psalm 23 Teaching Series Thursday, September 5 at 9:30 a.m. ET. P31 staff member Karen McNary will give us a deeper look at how to encounter Jesus in the Psalms. It’s not too late to add this optional series to your study!