The Good Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

A well-loved blue chair sits in my bedroom surrounded by books. Some books remain open to the last page read, others are stacked on side tables or in a basket next to the chair. The tall bushes outside the window reflect the changing seasons with pink blossoms. A Basset Hound sleeps curled at my feet. Meaningful words hung on the wall catch my eye; golden words beautifully written by a friend offering encouragement…. Stop, Listen, and Abide. This well-loved blue chair brings rest, time abiding with the Good Shepherd…contentment.

And yet, too often I rush past the daily invitation to abide and instead allow the day’s busyness to take precedence over the One that most loves me. Too often I end the day exhausted, anxious, or discontent.

The Lord is my Shepherd. If Jesus is my Shepherd, then…I am His sheep.

The San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo supplies this Atlanta girl with some West Texas fun. During the rodeo’s mutton bustin’ event…yes, it is a thing…one can’t help but notice how the sheep move as one unit once the children finish their ride. Fear and helplessness draw the sheep together for protection and safety.

All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have all turned to our own way.

Isaiah 53:6

Sheep follow a mob mentality, easily going astray, behaving in stubborn and fearful ways, always needing extensive daily care. Does this sound familiar?

The Lord is my Shepherd. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Jesus cares for the sheep, even sacrificing His life for their good. Jesus knows His sheep and His sheep know Him.

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.

John 10:11,14

The presence of the true Shepherd among the flock brings peace and safety. The Good Shepherd cares for every need of the sheep. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. The Shepherd brings contentment to the flock.

And the well-loved blue chair waits, an open invitation to…Stop, Listen, and Abide. An invitation to come…Find rest. Find peace. Find contentment. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…