"Once they respond to my beckoning I have them forever" page 39
I remember when the Good Shepherd, Jesus, did this to me. He beckoned me. Often repeatedly.
There were so many times I ignored Him. Maybe I would tell Him not now. Sometimes I would agree to come to Him only to take the decision back when something more convenient came up.
But one day I finally decided to respond to Him, for real, with my whole heart. To this day I will never forget the the joy and unconditional love I felt at that moment. There was no scolding that it took so long just a simple embrace of acceptance.
When I read "A Shepherd's Embrace" especially the above line, it took me back to that moment. For me this was my favorite part of this section. I love the confidence the Lynne has as she knows, now she has this lamb forever. What a great picture!
What stuck out to you?
I agree with Christine regarding "Once they respond to my beckoning I have them forever." Since becoming a Christian 4 years ago, I can look back and recall several moments He was beckoning me by using some people in my life and I totally blew Him off. Glory to Him for not giving up on me!
ReplyDeleteI was also struck by page 31 - The Rambunctious One. The ram, Alano, got angry with Margaret when she was not giving him the attention he desired. He rammed her twice. Lynn explained: "He has to be disciplined now. If I don't discipline him now, he will grow up to be dangerous and of no use to anyone." God only wants what is good for us, which is to give Him our time and get to know Him personally. He is very gentle when we continue to go 'round the mulberry bush until we GET what He is trying to teach us!
Margaret continues on this subject saying: "If a ram grows up with no fear of its shepherd and no respect for other sheep, the most humane act is to slaughter it." WOW and double WOW! Matthew 11:9 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Just like an uncontrollable ram can cause immense damage to a flock, we humans damage each other far too often. I so want to be able to treat others as if they ARE Jesus, after all, we too were made in HIS image.
I've always said, "Life is in the details."
ReplyDeleteWhenever I read the Bible, I often feel like just the main points of the story are reported. So many of the details are missing, but I realize if they were all written down, we'd have the most gigantic book that would possibly be too overwhelming to read. But I'm glad that there are others like me who want to know more about the details of the Bible.
One major thing that stuck out to me is that the sheep know the shepherd's voice. For so long, I wanted to hear God's voice, but wasn't. Then it was almost like tuning in to the right radio station because one day I could. But then I didn't want to be wrong in what I was hearing, so I would explain what I was hearing as "this is what I think God's telling me." One day not too long ago, God said to me, "This is My voice. Stop saying, 'I think this is what God's telling me.' Instead say, 'This IS what God is telling me.'" And now, without a doubt, I know my shepherd's voice. And there is such great comfort in that.
The other thing that stuck out to me was the part about gates and boundaries. Before we moved to Colorado Springs a year and a half ago, we were trying to figure out where to move. Our pastor at that time prayed with us and said God gave him the picture of a gate and Pikes Peak. We knew after that that we were to move here. But since then I've thought about the gate that our old paster saw, and I sometimes think it has as much to do with our coming here as it has to do with our future. I think that gate brought us here, but one day (in the maybe not so far future), God will take us back through that gate to some different God work--that He will move us back and forth from one pasture to another, but always passing through that gate.
Ladies,
ReplyDeleteI know that this is only for you Grace ladies but I had to comment particularly on my wise wonderful wife. Here comments brought tears to my eyes not in the profundity of her words but the massiveness of her heart. Oh, to see the maturity of the Lord blossoming in her life in four short years and to experience up close and personal the wonder of Christ in her, thank you Father!!!!
As I was reading this book, it was very evident that sheep and people share some important characteristics.
ReplyDeleteWhen God created animals and humans, He didn't say to Himself, O my, I have created an animal with soft fleece all over and a human with skin and hair who happen to be somewhat the same. No, He created everything on purpose and with a purpose.
We like sheep, have a need for love and touch. At times we need to be disciplined. We may not like the process which our Shepherd uses, however it is for our good and growth.
We need to have a leader or Shepherd. Some of us are leaders and some are followers. When we follow the right leader, our Good Shepherd, we have the most amazing relationship and fellowship with Him and we know His Voice.
I am amazed at my Shepherds love for me. When we decide to follow our Shepherd, He says, that no one is able to snatch us out of His hands. (John 10:29)
His love and protection makes me feel very secure. It appears that sheep also respond to the love and tender care of their shepherd.
I thank my Good Sheperd, Heavenly Father, for His daily care.
Wow this is so cool! I love what God is saying to us!
ReplyDeleteHi ladies,
ReplyDeleteI have gotten on this site two other times and not posted anything. Everything, everyone writes seems wonderful and whatever I was going to say sounded pitiful to me. But here I am and this time I am going to write something. What struck me the most about the first section - the shepherd was the intimate knowledge that the shepherd(ess) has of the sheep. The understanding of their personalities. The care and concern for each sheep individually. It was a good reminder of the care our Father gives to us. How he knows us and loves us. I am looking forward to the next section. My dad has been in town so I have not been reading but will get caught up soon.