5. #Baaa!

When a sheep finds itself in trouble...it cries for the Shepherd.

"For we like sheep we have gone astray. Everyone of us has gone our own way."

(Isaiah 53:6)

God calls us sheep. Strange analogy. Of all the animals in the world why would God choose Sheep? Maybe Ape, Tiger, Dolphin, Fox; I mean come on! Something cool at least! But this is God's very gentle way of letting us know that we are just not that smart. Sheep are not clever. Sheep without a Shepherd will inevitably find trouble.

They will go through thorn and thicket to get at some tasty looking grass just to find themselves stuck. Baaa!

They spy what looks to be a patch of clover in the distance, so they meander off in anticipation of a treat, but just as they get there - the wolf appears. Baaa!

Sheep like to follow. So when one sheep moves the rest move with him, even if it is not in their best interest. Case in point: One sheep headed over a cliff in Iran and 1499 sheep died following him over it. Baaa! Baaa! Baaa! When your parents asked "If your friend jumped off a bridge (read cliff) would you follow?" That was their way of telling you not to be a Sheep!

Sheep are Defenseless, Directionless and Dumb (albeit adorable!) And they are absolutely Doomed without a Shepherd. This is what God wants us to understand about ourselves.

The Shepherd keeps watch over His sheep. He makes them lie down in green pastures and leads them besides still waters (provision). He may lead them through the valley where evil roams but they need not fear because His rod will take care of any predators and his staff will pull out any sheep who may get caught in a pit.

(Psalm23)

Unfortunately, we have all left the sheepfold and gone our own way.

(1 Peter:2:25)

Whatever feels right is often the path we take and many, many times we find ourselves in a whole mess of thorns or in a pit, or even dangling over a cliff. We find ourselves in these predicaments because we have ignored and walked away from the Shepherd. With Sinatra singing in the background " I did it my wayyyy..." We leap over the fence in dogged determination to do just that. To do it our way. We wander off to "find" ourselves...but on our way we often find ourselves lost, hungry, scared, and unfulfilled. What we thought would bring us great satisfaction - just hasn't. We are so far away from the Shepherd that we are quite certain that even our loudest Baaa! will not be heard.

But the Good Shepherd leaves the flock in search of you.

(Mathew 18:10)

He already knows your lost, he knows where you have been and where you are now. He knows you don't trust Him and that you think the rod He carries is meant for your backside. He knows why you keep running and that you do not know His voice...

But He know yours.

If you will but cry out for Him in the day of trouble the Good Sheherd will rescue you. He will save you from all your enemies (even if your worst enemy is you). When you cry out - no matter how far away you are - He hears you and He will lay down His life for your safe return.

(Psalms 50:15, 18:3, John 10:11)

The Good Shepherd is Jesus and anyone who calls upon his name will be saved.

(Romans 10:13)

He will come. He will bind up your wounds and heal your broken heart. He will gently lift you up and carry you on His shoulders far away from any danger.

(Psalm 147:3)

He asks nothing of the Sheep. Because they are Sheep. He just wants you safe and sound in His tender care.

All you need to do is call for Him.

Baaa!