I lovingly remind us that sheep may be cute and cuddly, but we are also dumb and stubborn. Listen to Mr Keller describe us in light of sheep: “Just as sheep will blindly, habitually, stupidly follow one another along the same little trails until they become ruts that erode into gigantic gullies, so we humans cling to the same habits that we have seen ruin other lives.” (p88) We continue with the deadly idea that we are free to do whatever we want, whenever we want, however we want. Even though Jesus has come to grant us the Abundant Life, Mr Keller rightly says that we really just don’t want to be led by Jesus. Problem is, He is the only way to the Father and the Abundant Life! (see Jn 14:6 & Jn 10:10) Much too often, we still think we can get that peace-filled life on our own. But we cannot.
Listen to the results of this falsehood: “The stubborn, self-willed, proud, self-sufficient sheep that persists in pursuing its old paths and grazing on its old polluted ground will end up a bag of bones on ruined land. The world we live in is full of such folk. Broken homes, broken hearts, derelict lives, and twisted personalities remind us of men and women who have gone their own way.” (p89) I hope we are seeing this truth for ourselves, as well as knowing this is true about the world we live in. Yet the only way to help the world around us is to turn to God and work with Him to fix our own heart first. Think plank in your own eye first here. (see Mt 7:3-5) We all need to come to the end of ourselves so that we will turn to Jesus who is the only cure for this lower and destructive way of being. Sometimes that means God allowing us to get into a deep hole we cannot get out of on our own. But hopefully we can learn from these sheep how to just humbly follow our Shepherd. You pray for me and I will pray for you!
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
<>< Peace, Diane
