There is a Good Shepherd who looks after me. He calls out and I hear His voice and I follow. In the hustle and bustle of daily living, His voice is sometimes drowned out by all the noise and the hurry. That is why I need to stop and listen, sometimes even straining to hear the voice. I need to pause to clarify and learn who I am, where I am going and what I need to do. In silent and reflective prayer, I can hear my Shepherd’s voice more clearly. In my prayer, he brings me to green pastures and restful waters.
There are times I hear His voice but go the opposite direction instead. These are the times I stray. He seeks me out to bring me back to the fold. In extreme dangers, He is ready to lay down His life to save me. It may seem a simplistic and even naive way to think of God. But it speaks of a love and caring that is very reassuring. It is love and caring that is constant and reliable.
As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for you, O God.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
John 10:11-16