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Lessons From a Shepherd

Every Monday we post a short, creative expression of something that has recently done 1 of 3 things:

humbled us

made us thankful

we can’t live without it

Shepherd.Still002This week’s post comes from the fields of Bethlehem, Israel. While I was there soaking in the importance of that place, a Bedouin shepherd came by leading his flock. As he came closer to me, he made a sound. The sheep instantly stopped. I went up and shook his hand, took some quick shots and he made another noise. The sheep instantly began moving again. John 10:27 became so clear to me:

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

Shepherd 3One other thing I learned about shepherds. A shepherd will only lead his sheep along the mountain top just long enough to take them to the next valley. The valley is where the water and grass are, not the mountain top. If we apply that analogy to us as the Lord’s “sheep”, we can take comfort as we are led down to our valleys. It is there where the Shepherd knows we will find life. The mountain tops are nice, but we can’t survive on them. We must come down to the valley for nourishment.

Shepherd.Still001

And the grooves worn down by sheep on the sides of mountains in Israel…they are called paths of righteousness.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me…” (Psalm 23:1-4)

May the Good Shepherd lead you today.

Lessons From a Shepherd from Iron Kite on Vimeo.