“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all his own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow him because they know His voice.” – John 10:3-4.
I woke up early on this beautiful morning and went outside to spend some quiet time alone with the Lord. I tried just being silent before God without attempting to fill the time with words, but my mind was distracted with so many things. Then I tried reading since God so often speaks to me this way and I just wanted to listen.
I read Jesus’ illustrations of the shepherd and his sheep. I once read that, traditionally, if a sheep were to break its leg, the shepherd would keep it close, carrying it on his shoulders and hand feeding it. During this time of dependence, the sheep will learn to listen to the shepherd and know his voice.
While considering this extreme devotion of the shepherd, I began to weep at the recognition that I am that sheep. In my brokenness, God is carrying me in order to teach me to hear and obey His voice. The thought of this great compassion overwhelmed me, and I actually found myself thanking God for the pain in my life.
I’m just one of God’s many lost sheep in this world, and yet He cares enough to take the time to pursue me. I am in awe because I believe that I am not worthy of that kind of love. Yet, I understand that this is irrelevant. I am loved so intimately and tenderly by the God of the Universe, not because I am amazing and wonderful, but because He is.