October 16, 2008

 

 

 The Sheep fold

Sheep are such funny animals. After several years of my children raising sheep in 4-H, I have learned a lot about them, although I am certainly not an expert. We often raise a beef cow also, and one year in particular, we had a young steer.One of our two lambs became fast friends with the steer, and we could be confident that wherever Beefy was, Sheepy would not be far away. Lamby would usually follow Sheepy, but was not attached to Beefy. (I know, I know, but it was not a creative year for naming animals.) Even though we worked with Sheepy and Lamby, they preferred to follow Beefy. We knew what was best for the two sheep, but they wanted to put their trust in the steer, rather than us.

Sheep can also be skittish, even after they have learned that you are the shepherd. Several times we have had to chase the sheep around the 6’ X 10’ pen trying to get the halter and lead rope on them for their exercise session. It wore me out! Now, they also had a little barn that they could escape into, that I was not about to bend down and follow them into, so it made the chase interesting. Anything, however, can spook a sheep and send it into a panic. They frequently run every which way but to the shepherd for comfort and protection. That reminds me a little of us, and how we live in response to God. The Bible refers to us as sheep, and God as the Good Shepherd. I am sure God knew what He was talking about when He made that comparison. In thinking about us being sheep in the Lord’s sheepfold, several observations can be made:

-Once you are in the sheepfold, you’re in. The Shepherd does not get angry at stupid sheep and kick them out. The blood that got you in the fold, keeps you there.

 -Even sheep within the sheepfold can be stupid- or at least act stupidly at times.

 -No matter what side of the fence you are on, or how the grass looks, if you are next to the Shepherd, you are on the right side… where you belong.

 -Sheep get stinky, even after they are washed in the blood. They are still in the fold, still belong to the Shepherd, but they can be stinky.

 -         Wolves do not always look like wolves or smell like wolves. Sometimes they look and smell like sheep.

-         Some wolves even “baaa” like sheep.

-         The Shepherd knows the difference between a sheep and a wolf- even the most cleverly disguised wolves.

-         When the Shepherd calls, “Wolf,” RUN.

-         When the Shepherd calls wolf, and you run- don’t run to other sheep- one of them could be the wolf. Always run to the Shepherd.

-         When you bring your problems to the Shepherd, even your little lambs, leave them with Him. He knows more about sheep and lambs and problems than you ever will.

-         Lambs are a gift. The Shepherd helps you birth them, but He expects you to raise them right.

-         Until your lambs get a mind of their own, you are it.

-         When they do have a mind of their own, fill it, and help them fill it with the good stuff.

-         Lambs and sheep both need exercise and fun- loosen up.

-         The Shepherd will not ask you to go where He has not been before.

-         You may not know where we are going, but the Shepherd does- keep following Him.

-         If you get lost, cry out- the Shepherd will come for you.

-         If you are happy in the sheepfold, it is difficult for enemies to lure you away. Maintain a good attitude, and be friendly to the other sheep.

-         Other sheep do not know what is best for you. Get that info from the Shepherd.

-         The Shepherd knows your name and has his eye on you. He loves you more than anything.

-         Even through the night, the Shepherd does not sleep.

-         Wolves will tear a sheep to shreds without a thought. Their wounds hurt deeply and take a long tome to heal, but the Shepherd will nurse it back to health…however long it takes.

-         An encounter with a wolf will keep you forever close to the Shepherd’s robes (hopefully).

-         You may be in the same pasture your whole life, but if that is where the Shepherd wants you, it is OK.

-         You may not get to stay in the same pasture your whole life, but that is OK, too, it is called rotational grazing.

-         Sheep do well when they are together in a flock.

-         You may have to run to keep up with Him, but stay with the Shepherd at all cost.

-         If you can’t hear the Shepherd’s voice, you are too far away. Move in closer.

-         Good sheep allow themselves to be shorn. It is freeing, and someone else really needs the wool.