all the way home
A long time ago, I picked out a song that I want to be played at my funeral. Its a song that I hope will ring true to the people who knew me well as being a real testimony to the way I have lived my life. Hold onto your hat, I'm about to drastically change the subject but don't worry, just strap in and enjoy the ride. I promise I will circle back.
Recently, I've been spending a lot of time thinking about sheep. Like, a lot a lot. I have watched youtube videos, read books, listened to sermons...I'm not kidding when I say A LOT. The reason however comes from the Lord really drawing me to the concept of Him as my Good Shepherd and all that entails.
Ok stay with me, I am going a lot of places today.
About two months ago I wrote about a women's weekend I had gone to. I said I was still processing what I had learned and didn't feel like I could find the right words yet. I didn't feel like I had processed it all. Nearly two months later, I know that I don't have the right words and I am still processing the things the Lord laid on my heart. The biggest thing I came away with was the statement, "All the way home."
It may seem fragmented and may not make sense out of context but in a brief context a precious saint of Jesus who has walked with him for many years, reminded us all that the path of Christ was not something we could abandon halfway through. It was a journey that we are on in good times and bad times, no matter what happens. It is not a journey we can abandon in the middle and just walk away from. We have to walk it out all the way home.
As the Lord has continued to speak this over me for the last two months, I have realized with great certainty that if I want to make it home, I have to be a sheep.
I could explain many things to you about sheep but I will keep it basic.
Sheep are simple animals, in order for them to survive, the MUST have a shepherd. They will self destruct left to their own devices. They know their shepherd and they follow Him.
I have a Good Shepherd who asks me to follow Him all the way home.
I was reminded of this today as I took my niece and nephew for a walk. It was a beautiful day and we went for a stroll behind our house in a corn field that is not yet planted. It stretched out a long way and runs next to our woods and past pastures. Its a pleasant walk for the spring time but it was the first time I had taken Daniel and Gracie to this field.
As we walked, Daniel began to have some anxiety. I had pointed to the place I wanted to make it to off in the distance, because I knew the spot opened up into another field and was actually very beautiful. It wasn't long before my anxious little companion began to voice his many concerns.
As I reminded Him that I knew exactly where to go and what I was doing and that I had already been to these places, I couldn't help but think of my Shepherd. How many times have I said the same things to him that Danny was saying to me?
I know that my Shepherd will never take me someplace that He cannot keep me safe or where he doesn't know where it leads.
You see, at the end of our path was something that I knew was worth the walk. I was rewarded by my little Gracelyn when we got to the spot with an awed, "That's beautiful."
The path that my Shepherd leads me down is peppered with beauty as well, and He will never leave me without resources. Just as I wouldn't have taken little children to a the middle of a pasture and forest and left them there to find their way home, my Shepherd will never leave me. He is with me every step of the journey.
When I think I want to abandon it in the middle of the road, I need to remind myself who my guide and supplier is.
I mentioned at the beginning that I have a funeral song all picked out. I love it more today than the day I picked it. I want it to ring with great truth in my life.
Recently, I've been spending a lot of time thinking about sheep. Like, a lot a lot. I have watched youtube videos, read books, listened to sermons...I'm not kidding when I say A LOT. The reason however comes from the Lord really drawing me to the concept of Him as my Good Shepherd and all that entails.
Ok stay with me, I am going a lot of places today.
About two months ago I wrote about a women's weekend I had gone to. I said I was still processing what I had learned and didn't feel like I could find the right words yet. I didn't feel like I had processed it all. Nearly two months later, I know that I don't have the right words and I am still processing the things the Lord laid on my heart. The biggest thing I came away with was the statement, "All the way home."
It may seem fragmented and may not make sense out of context but in a brief context a precious saint of Jesus who has walked with him for many years, reminded us all that the path of Christ was not something we could abandon halfway through. It was a journey that we are on in good times and bad times, no matter what happens. It is not a journey we can abandon in the middle and just walk away from. We have to walk it out all the way home.
As the Lord has continued to speak this over me for the last two months, I have realized with great certainty that if I want to make it home, I have to be a sheep.
I could explain many things to you about sheep but I will keep it basic.
Sheep are simple animals, in order for them to survive, the MUST have a shepherd. They will self destruct left to their own devices. They know their shepherd and they follow Him.
I have a Good Shepherd who asks me to follow Him all the way home.
I was reminded of this today as I took my niece and nephew for a walk. It was a beautiful day and we went for a stroll behind our house in a corn field that is not yet planted. It stretched out a long way and runs next to our woods and past pastures. Its a pleasant walk for the spring time but it was the first time I had taken Daniel and Gracie to this field.
As we walked, Daniel began to have some anxiety. I had pointed to the place I wanted to make it to off in the distance, because I knew the spot opened up into another field and was actually very beautiful. It wasn't long before my anxious little companion began to voice his many concerns.
As I reminded Him that I knew exactly where to go and what I was doing and that I had already been to these places, I couldn't help but think of my Shepherd. How many times have I said the same things to him that Danny was saying to me?
"It will take us forever to get there."
"What if we get lost?"
"Are you sure you know the way?"
What if we never get home?"As I gently reminded my sweet worried nephew that I would NEVER take him someplace that I couldn't keep him safe or didn't know where I was going, I had to smile.
I know that my Shepherd will never take me someplace that He cannot keep me safe or where he doesn't know where it leads.
You see, at the end of our path was something that I knew was worth the walk. I was rewarded by my little Gracelyn when we got to the spot with an awed, "That's beautiful."
The path that my Shepherd leads me down is peppered with beauty as well, and He will never leave me without resources. Just as I wouldn't have taken little children to a the middle of a pasture and forest and left them there to find their way home, my Shepherd will never leave me. He is with me every step of the journey.
When I think I want to abandon it in the middle of the road, I need to remind myself who my guide and supplier is.
I mentioned at the beginning that I have a funeral song all picked out. I love it more today than the day I picked it. I want it to ring with great truth in my life.
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