Living Life From A Position of Rest
The Bond Between a Shepherd & Sheep
Sheep are not known to be bright animals, but they are known to bond with anyone or anything that they spend time with.
In the first few years of our marriage, my father-in-law raised sheep. When a momma ewe would have twins or triplets, she often couldn’t care for everyone. In such events, I would take the tiny orphan home to bottle feed.
The lambing season takes place in the late winter and early spring. Keeping them warm and well-fed means 24/7 care.
One year, I raised a small female that we named Amanda. When Amanda finished her bottle, she wanted further attention. Sheep are very relational animals and can’t live alone. Soon, Amanda learned she could step into my lap and curl up, just like the cats. I became her mother.
After several months, Amanda was a large free-range girl who would lie down beside me in our yard’s green grass. She would press her head into me and want a good head scratch. I was her most significant place of comfort.
She knew from a young age that I was her provider and protector. Amanda and her best buddy, Max, the dog, would roam the farm together, but the minute she heard my call, “Amaaaaanda,” she would head toward my location with a quick hop-hop-hop, bleating out her enthusiasm with baa baas.
Amanda and I would walk together, play together, and yes … we rested together. My young daughter and I would lie with Amanda on our freshly mowed grass while leaning on Amanda’s wooly body.
Our small daughter climbed all over Amanda and even safely rode short distances on her back. We thoroughly enjoyed each other. When evening came, and Amanda felt the end of her day was near, she would often stand at the front door and loudly call until I took her to the barn to prepare for her evening’s rest.
How Do We Find Rest & Comfort in God?
There is a reason The Lord compares us to sheep. Amanda loved to hear my voice. It seemed to bring her comfort. We, too, need to listen to the voice of our Shepherd for comfort. We must sit with Him in the green pastures that He provides us. It’s a time of regular rest. Providing rest for Amanda was a daily commitment because I cared for her.
Get to Know the Shepherd’s Voice Through His Word
Lying down in green pastures resembles Adam’s first full day in The Garden. It comes before the activity. It comes before the work. Yes. Sheep have a purpose. They have work to accomplish. Sheep provide the shepherd’s family with wool for warmth and lanolin as a healing salve. In our Shepherd’s care, we, too, have good work to do, but not before our rest, not without our rest.
In Biblical lands, the shepherds spend much time with the flocks and even with individual sheep. Their sheep know their shepherd’s voice and follow only him. In John 10:27, we’re reminded that Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Your Shepherd knows YOU!! Being known by God brings us peace. His peace brings us a lifestyle of rest.
In the world of sheep, green pastures are a delightful sight. Not only do luscious pastures provide the necessary nutrition, but they are a peaceful place of rest. The shepherd daily leads his sheep to the pastures, where he keeps a watchful eye on them. We see that verse 2 of Psalm 23 says there are times when our Beloved Shepherd needs to “make us lie down” in green pastures for our good.
How often do we pass by God’s green pastures, His blessings, because we refuse to follow His leading and voice? How frequently do we need Him to “Make Us Lie Down” so we can rest IN HIM?
Avoid Filling Our Minds & Hearts With Distracting Sources
Not only will sheep drink any water they come across, including stagnant and filthy water, but they are vulnerable to rushing water. Turbulent waters frighten sheep. If a sheep enters rapidly moving water, their wool quickly gets heavy, and the animal drowns. A good shepherd will lead his precious flock to refreshing and calm waters where they feel safe and revived.
We not only need to sit in places of calm with our Lord; we need to sit still, recognizing Him as our Living Water.
Stay On the Path God Has Laid Before Us
Shepherds during Biblical times would lead their dear flocks on routes called “sheep paths.” These well-worn and familiar paths were safe. Each path was the right path chosen by the shepherd. It was an enjoyable and leisurely walk as the sheep followed their trusted leader. In that area of the world, the shepherds lead the sheep. They don’t drive them like we do in the U.S. They walk ahead and guide them. We can rest in our walk with Jesus as He leads us on His right path.
Living in the great outdoors, sheep are prone to parasites and bugs. The shepherd would pour oil over the sheep’s head to ward off and kill the unwanted pests. This would comfort the animals so they could rest peacefully. David was anointed as King of Israel with oil. In I Samuel 16:13, we read, “So Samuel took the horn of the oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on, The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.” Oil is symbolic of The Holy Spirit. We can find rest and comfort in the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Christ Alone is Our Good Shepherd & True Source of Rest
Jesus is our Savior, He is our Caring Shepherd, and we are the sheep of His pasture. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) . “We are His people, the sheep of HIS pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)
You can close your eyes and imagine yourself alone with Jesus in one of the areas we studied in Psalm 23.
Maybe you would like to imagine yourself…..
Enjoying rest with Jesus in a green luscious pasture
Peacefully sitting with Jesus by Calm Waters.
Leisurely walking with Jesus on a safe path.
Resting in the Care of Jesus and His Spirit’s anointing on you.
Sherry Ellis
Professional Life Coach
Life Speaker
