Has there ever been a time in your life where you felt alone and that no one understood or cared?
Perhaps you had no one to turn to who understood the circumstances, your side of a story or your emotions?
I am a blessed woman indeed that I had two loving parents who I was close to and could open up and share almost anything. In addition, I had extended family – a maternal grandmother who lived in my home and aunts, uncles and cousins I was close to. God also brought dear friends along my journey in elementary school, high school, college and beyond.
But even with scores of wonderful people in my life, there have been numerous distinct times in which I felt alone, misunderstood and had nowhere to turn.
Even now God has blessed me with a husband who’s my best friend and several close and dear friends in whom I can confide in and trust.
But even having ALL of that, I know there have been times when I’ve felt alone, misunderstood and that no one “got me” or understood what I was going through.
I think those feelings are commonplace. Everyone on the planet has felt that way at one time or another.
Friend, I can’t say with certainty, but I think God did this on purpose when He created us.
There’s only ONE who totally gets us and can relate to us.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we can’t connect with our spouse, our parents or a dear friend. But that longing we have deep in our soul can only be satisfied by a relationship with our Creator.
And as we continue with names of Jesus, I want you to think about Jesus as the Good Shepherd. This name is truly one of my favorites. Why? Because this particular title is so intimate and personal.
Back in the day, when Jesus walked the earth, being a shepherd was a common occupation, but it was a serious one that involved many talents. The shepherd was the main one responsible for providing food/water for his flock, as well as defending them against all kinds of prey. Being a shepherd also involved tending to the animals with compassion and care if and when they were hurt or injured. There’s no way a GOOD shepherd couldn’t have compassion and love for his flock.
Throughout the Bible, we as humans are referred to as sheep. Typically, I’ve read that sheep aren’t very bright animals. They get distracted; they wander off; and they don’t pay attention. They don’t learn from their mistakes and can get into serious trouble. Sound familiar?
Because of these qualities, sheep need a shepherd to guide their path, as well as protect them from their enemies. Wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, wild dogs, coyotes, wildcats and even eagles can prey on sheep. That’s numerous enemies! In fact, I was surprised when I researched this topic, how many there were. But the analogy in the Bible is there for a reason.
How many times have YOU depended on yourself for making an important decision? I know many adults who are prideful, even followers of Jesus, who rely on their own logic or intellect to navigate through life…weighing pros and cons vs. praying and turning to The Master. Usually. it doesn’t go well when we do this.
Being self-sufficient is the world’s ideal, but it is certainly not God’s.
Imagine a sheep wandering off from the herd and the shepherd, thinking it can find water, the best pasture or the right path. It’s just laughable.
God provided not just a shepherd, but THE GOOD Shepherd for each of us.
The Good Shepherd, the Spirit of Jesus, provides, guides and leads us because He is all-powerful, all-knowing and knows us best. He “gets us” better than anyone on the planet because HE designed us.
He knows the path I need to take and when I need to take it.
He knows when I’m going to stumble over a pebble or a huge rock and how to avoid it or how to comfort me when I do.
As my Good Shepherd, He scoops me up as His little lamb and provides comfort, protection and love, just as one of us would do to love on our pet. Even if I wander off and come back, My Good Shepherd is there to welcome me with open, loving arms.
Most importantly, though, the Good Shepherd cares so much for you and me as His sheep that He lays down at the entrance of the sheep gate. He doesn’t sleep; He’s on guard. There is no physical gate; He lays down and actually puts Himself between the sheep and the enemy. He IS the gate. He is willing to sacrifice Himself to save one or all of his flock. What kind of shepherd would do that to protect his flock? A loving one!
It’s what Jesus did when He hung on the cross of Calvary. He gave Himself up and put Himself in our place. It should’ve been you or me on the cross. Instead, He left His rightful throne of heaven and humbled himself to a lowly position. He sacrificed Himself for my sin and your sin so you/I would not have to die. He took the wrath of God on Himself and willingly gave up His life for you/me. Because God is holy and just, someone had to pay for our sin. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, we have a way to get back into a right relationship with God. And it’s only by believing in and accepting His Son’s ultimate price on the cross. God wants you/me to accept the gift of the Good Shepherd who gave up His life willingly in place of you/me.
Psalm 23 is a chapter in the Bible even non-believers are familiar with as it is read at funerals. It’s always been odd to me that we wait until funerals to study or think about it. It applies to life now, not just when a death has occurred. Let’s examine a few verses.
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
The psalmist David wrote this text, and it should be obvious from these words what an intimate relationship David, the young shepherd boy, had with the Lord.
Just from these few lines, we are reminded that Jesus, as our Good Shepherd, doesn’t just LEAD (if we allow Him to), but He alone knows the best path and where the green grass is. His path is best. Even if we as sheep have to experience rocky or treacherous terrain, our Good Shepherd is there to protect and guide.
Not only that, He stills my soul. Apparently, sheep are animals who can easily be frightened. But still, quiet waters would be calming to sheep. Our Creator knows this – and knows what we need. And offers true peace, that the world knows nothing about.
Even in the first line of Psalm 23, what does it mean that as a sheep I am not in want? It doesn’t mean that my Good Shepherd gives me every material or physical thing I’ve every wanted. It means that when I have Jesus, He alone fills me up in such a way that I am thoroughly satisfied and content.
I won’t list all the other lines in Psalm 23. But I pray you take time to read and meditate on it.
I will just close with this thought. I don’t write about The Good Shepherd as a distant figure or one I’ve read or heard about. I’ve EXPERIENCED Jesus being MY GOOD SHEPHERD at various times throughout my life. I KNOW the peace, stability, comfort, guidance and satisfaction HE alone brings. As my personal Shepherd, He allows me to crawl up in His arms, and He pulls me close to His bosom. Nothing on the planet compares with this relationship. He “gets me”, comforts me and reassures me that I am His. It is enough.
Are you still searching for a relationship that satisfies?
Material possessions that make you feel important or impress others?
A prestigious job that gives you power or makes you feel important?
All I can say is even the best spouse, the most wonderful career, the most gorgeous house or fill in the blank won’t meet your needs. They are counterfeits…nothing wrong with them in proper perspective.
Turn to The Good Shepherd. He is patiently waiting for you to do just that. You will find Him to be real, authentic and fill that hole in your soul like no one else. In His arms are where true identity, purpose and peace are found.
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