Mr Keller gives us several causes for why sheep, and us too, can become downcast. First, sheep look for a soft spot: “The sheep that choose the comfortable, soft, rounded hollows in the ground in which to lie down very often become cast. In such a situation it is so easy to roll over on their backs.” (pp76-77) For the believers he says this is a place where we are not challenged. We naturally try to avoid anything in life that is difficult or requires us to step out of our comfort zone. Yet this makes it way too easy for us to become complacent, and turn away from God, and stop growing in our walk. And as I usually say, if you are not progressing forward, you are regressing backwards. Life is like a treadmill, if we stop walking, we fall backwards. To have the most abundant life we can, we must continually be with God, and moving forward at His pace to become more and more like Him. Thankfully, our Good Shepherd allows situations in our lives that encourage, prompt and urge us to keep moving.
Next Mr Keller says, sometimes sheep just have too much wool. Of this he says, “It is significant that no high priest was ever allowed to wear wool when he entered the Holy of Holies. This spoke of self, of pride, of personal preference – and God could not tolerate it.” (p78) In other words we believers are still too carnal. The answer to this dilemma for the sheep is shearing that “long and heavily matted with mud, manure, burrs and other debris” wool right off. (see p77 & 78) It is the same with you and me, as God deals with that old life still in us weighing us down, not allowing us to be fully set free in Christ. God begins to convict us, and His cutting Word moves us to let that old life go. Mr Keller proclaims, “Oh, the pleasure of being set free from ourselves! What a restoration!” (p79)
The third reason is that the sheep is just too fat. This is talking about Christians who have had a lot of success in life and begin to think they have it made. He says, “Often when we are most sure of ourselves we are the most prone to fall flat.” (p80) He mentions the lukewarm believers in Rev 3:17 and the Parable of the Rich Fool in Lk 12:16-21. The truth is, “Material success is no measure of spiritual health.” (p80) It is good that God disciplines us now and again so that we are reminded that He is Lord and He will not allow anything or anyone to take His rightful place, because it is only when our lives reflect that He is Lord that they are truly fulfilling.
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
