GPiper
October 31st 2003, 07:29 AM
The journey through life always takes you through experiences that can bring pain and disappointment. It is always moving through valleys that will rob you of peace, and always in the shadow of evil. The Creator did not create it that way but that is the way it is, to see otherwise is not to see at all. As a result often things do not go well and you find yourself wounded, bruised, bleeding, and wandering aimlessly through life wondering what will happen next. Sometimes it is our interaction with others that leave us wounded, sometimes it is our interaction with ourselves, and other times is it our lack of interaction with God that leaves us battered and bruised and wandering aimlessly through life.
The journey through life would be discouraging, depressing, and hopeless ending in defeat if it weren’t for our Creator. A Visionary Creator who is not blind to those times when life raises up its ugly head or when as sheep we wander off on our own and become entangled in our lack of vision, a Visionary Creator who sent his Son to be a Good Shepherd to us to guide and lead us through life.
The journey of a wounded sheep is a journey that follows the Good Shepherd through life; it is a journey that will take you through dangerous rocky hillsides, around the raging and swirling rivers. It is a journey that leads you to his caring fold where he can tend to your wounds and dry your tears. It is a journey that will lead you to the refreshing waters where your soul can drink in the life giving and life sustaining power of God’s Spirit. It is a journey that will lead you through God’s word as recorded in the Scriptures. It is a journey that leads you in and through the middle of snares left by the forces of evil into righteousness fit for eternal life. What is the source of your wounds?
Discouragment?
Disillusionment?
Tired of struggling alone?
Death of loved one?
Failing health or that of a loved one?
Broken relationships?
Unworthiness?
Not fitting in?
Broken dreams?
Financial setbacks?
Struggling against forces of evil?
Feeling of indifference?
Today as you walk the dusty, hazardous road of life there will be struggles. Stop from time to time and listen for the gentle voice of the Good Shepherd calling you by name coaxing, begging, and leading you into the security of his Kingdom. When you hear his voice stop and let him touch your wounds, let him calm your fears, let his Light lighten the darkness of your future, and let him take your unworthiness and make you worthy and then go with him all the way.
The Good Shepherd is calling you by name, are you listening?
Gary
Scripture Break: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear not evil---." (Psalms 23:1 - 23:4)
The journey through life would be discouraging, depressing, and hopeless ending in defeat if it weren’t for our Creator. A Visionary Creator who is not blind to those times when life raises up its ugly head or when as sheep we wander off on our own and become entangled in our lack of vision, a Visionary Creator who sent his Son to be a Good Shepherd to us to guide and lead us through life.
The journey of a wounded sheep is a journey that follows the Good Shepherd through life; it is a journey that will take you through dangerous rocky hillsides, around the raging and swirling rivers. It is a journey that leads you to his caring fold where he can tend to your wounds and dry your tears. It is a journey that will lead you to the refreshing waters where your soul can drink in the life giving and life sustaining power of God’s Spirit. It is a journey that will lead you through God’s word as recorded in the Scriptures. It is a journey that leads you in and through the middle of snares left by the forces of evil into righteousness fit for eternal life. What is the source of your wounds?
Discouragment?
Disillusionment?
Tired of struggling alone?
Death of loved one?
Failing health or that of a loved one?
Broken relationships?
Unworthiness?
Not fitting in?
Broken dreams?
Financial setbacks?
Struggling against forces of evil?
Feeling of indifference?
Today as you walk the dusty, hazardous road of life there will be struggles. Stop from time to time and listen for the gentle voice of the Good Shepherd calling you by name coaxing, begging, and leading you into the security of his Kingdom. When you hear his voice stop and let him touch your wounds, let him calm your fears, let his Light lighten the darkness of your future, and let him take your unworthiness and make you worthy and then go with him all the way.
The Good Shepherd is calling you by name, are you listening?
Gary
Scripture Break: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear not evil---." (Psalms 23:1 - 23:4)