Digging Deeper

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
- John 10: 7-10

Deciding to make a permanent shelter for our five sheep, we spent weeks building a small “barn” perfect for sleeping, eating, and staying in out of the rain and snow. Before the completion of the structure, we hung a tarp on the old chicken house to provide some shelter from the sun and rain. The curious sheep inspected everything we did until their new home was completed.

Problem #1: The sheep were afraid to go inside their beautiful new house! They would stand outside and peer through the door, but go inside? Surely, you jest!

Problem #2: Even though the tarp was taken down from the chicken house, they still stood under where it used to hang oblivious to the fact they were getting absolutely soaked…imaginary tarps do not hold back much rain! Their wool became so waterlogged, I was afraid they were going to shrink. We are their masters. We are smarter than they, right?!

Solution #1: We had to move their food trough indoors. The “Go Inside or Starve” philosophy proved to be quite motivating.

Solution #2: The next time it rained and all five sheep were standing under the invisible tarp, we took our umbrellas outside and coaxed them to get in out of the rain with delicious corn and irresistible hay. Needless to say, we had to encourage them to get out of the rain several times before they realized it really was drier inside! It was pretty pitiful.

I wonder why Jesus compares us to sheep numerous times in the Bible? Could it be we too are afraid to recognize His beautiful gifts? Are we so caught up in our own ways that we can not see when we stray or perhaps there is a better way, His way? Jesus explained to the disciples in John 10 that He is the sheep gate. The “sheep” must believe in Him in order to be saved. Jesus is also the Good Shepherd who protects His sheep…sometimes that means the “sheep” need to come in out of the rain and let Him be their Master.

Bible Reading: Luke: 4-6

Forgive me Jesus when I demand my own way. Thank You for loving me even when I am an ignorant sheep.