Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Sheep Following or Shepherd Chasing?


A friend who once worked with sheep related this tidbit to Kevin: If one sheep is the first to do something, the others will follow it in minute detail, no matter how stupid or dangerous it is.

A sheep can jump three feet in the air to sail over a bale of hay. Every sheep after him will jump exactly three feet when approaching the same bale. If you put a second bale on top of the first one, their MO will remain the same. All the sheep will jump only three feet up, plowing into the second bale.

I wonder how often I act like an unthinking sheep. “Super Editor (or Agent or CEO) says I must jump this high over this many bales and have this many sheep following me, or I have zero chance of landing a book contract.”





No matter that the bale in front of me is taller or smaller, my hooves are a different size than the lead sheep, or that the Shepherd is calling to me from the sidelines to jump a different way. The lead sheep set the standard. Here I jump, a carbon copy of her.

If I crash and break a nose or an ego, I can’t blame my Shepherd. He tried to direct me with His staff, guiding my steps with His tender words, but I ignored Him. I was intent on following that lead sheep. Who had time to stop and listen to the Shepherd?

Dear friends, each lamb’s path is different. If we try to follow another sheep, we will not fulfill the Good Shepherd’s plan for our own lives. He knows best what the perfect, custom-made design is for each of his beloved lambs. Only as we get alone with Him, asking for His divine wisdom and seeking His unique purpose for us, will we sail over those bales of discouragement, fear, and closed doors.


I know you. I know what your answer will be. Still, I must ask: Will you follow the lead sheep, or chase after the Shepherd?

20 comments:

  1. What a beautiful analogy. I SO want to be a sheep that follows my Shepherd. Great reminder to start off my day. Thanks, Jen.

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  2. What Cindie said. Okay, I'm clearly joking...I have no idea what Cindie said.

    I want to follow my Shepherd. He knows the way! He IS the way.
    ~ Wendy

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  3. I love this. You could write for "Our Daily Bread" from RBC Ministries. Honestly.

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  4. What an interesting tidbit about sheep! I didn't know that.
    I hope I'm following the Shepherd. No wonder Jesus compared us to sheep though. LOL How many times do we do stupid stuff because someone else did??? LOL

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  5. Thank you so much for this reminder to be myself. I'm wrestling through a chapter now and struggling with that very thing. I needed this post today! Thank you!

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  6. Sticking with my Shepherd.
    Blessings, andrea

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  7. Thank you this is lovely! I so love coming to your blog for inspiration. You are a breath of fresh air!!!!

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  8. Hi Jen -

    Thanks for this devotional. While there are similarities in every writer's/Christian's walk, God has a plan for each of us. I once heard a speaker say, "Don't be a carbon copy when God made you an original."

    The Lord knew what He was doing when He compared us to sheep.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  9. Amen! Thanks for this, Jeanette. Our human insecurities sometimes convince us that someone else seems to be walking the path successfully so that direction must be the one to take. How much better it is to get divine guidance for the journey.

    Blessings,
    Carol

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  10. I was thinking about a similar idea for a blog post. We can't follow everyone else or what "they" are doing. We have to do what we've been called to do. :O)

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  11. My heart bleeds to chase after the Shepherd! I wish I didn't stumble as much as I do.

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  12. Oh, did I need to read this! Thank you, Jen, for wisdom that came from Our Shepherd to you.

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  13. Jeanette:
    I had to learn to follow the Shepherd and not other sheep.

    But, I am glad that he put that hook around me and drew me closer to Him.

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  14. You are awesome and the person I need to keep me directed on where the Lord will have me go with my writing! Thank you!

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  15. Jen, I struggle with this at times. When I start to do things because I feel left behind, then I know I'm not following God's plan. Good thing we have prayer time every day so I don't get too far off track!

    Thanks!

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  16. Great analogy, as usual!
    Lord, only with Your Holy Spirit living in me can I follow THE Shepherd.

    Blessings, Jen
    Patti
    www.pattilacy.com/blog

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  17. I am glad that he put that hook around me and drew me closer to Him.

    short sale ebook 1

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  18. I love posts like this; it teaches so much so quickly.

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  19. I loved this posting. A vivid description. A good reminder to follow the Shepherd not another sheep!

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