If you’ve talked to me you might know that I love animals. If you know me you know I that I love sheep and am the proud owner of a small flock. If you want to see me excited about something, listen to me ramble about my cows and my sheep.
Things were really coming together before I left; I had two pastures to work with, I had a great ram, I had a barn just waiting to be cleaned up and a tool shed just waiting to be used. My sheep were definitely a factor in deciding to come on the race. If you were to ask me what I miss most my sheep are high on the list.
Jesus loves sheep too; He talks about them a lot especially when he’s talking about us.
On the race there is a lot of emphasis on hearing from God, not a lot on sitting with God. It can be easy to wonder if God is there when you can’t hear him.
I’ve been thinking about my sheep lately. Lambs are coming and that’s one of my favorite things. If you’ve ever tried to catch a sheep in the open field, you most likely tried to sneak up on it. If you’re any good at sneaking, you know the only way is to not make any noise. Chances are the sheep bolted and the whole flock ran with it. You didn’t say anything but those sheep knew you were there.
They don’t mind when I walk into their pasture they know me, I’m their shepherd and I provide for them. They might come up to me or, more likely, they’ll just keep eating (I had one ewe that would come up to me and if I didn’t pet her she would paw me). They know I’m there, they can sense my presence, but they also know I’m the source of good things and I will not hurt them, so they continue on peacefully. I haven’t said a word, but they know I’m there and they’re okay with that.
If you were to walk into their pasture they might not run but they are going to be on alert they’re going to be watching you and any move, sudden or otherwise, they will most likely bolt. You haven’t said anything but they know you’re there and they aren’t taking any chances.
My point is God is there, He hasn’t left just because you can’t hear him. Some of my best moments with God were when He didn’t say anything, but I knew he was there because I could feel Him and because He has promised never to “…leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
