This year, my focus seems to wander toward
sheep. Not a huge surprise as they are the newest kids on the farm.
But more than that. I have learned so much from having sheep. Not just
how to care for them, or that they don't have teeth on their upper jaw
(that was a surprise). I have learned about God and his love for us.
Not really surprising because through everything, God's purpose is to
teach us about Him and draw us nearer to him
You
see, before having sheep, I had some preconceived notions about sheep.
Perhaps you shared in these. Sheep are dumb, they are slow,
unfriendly. . . The Bible compares us to sheep, and it doesn't sound
like a compliment. "We like sheep have gone astray. . . " (Isaiah
53:6) That sounds more like a warning: Don't be like these animals!
The
more time I have spent around these animals, the more I see the
analogies of sheep and shepherds in the Bible in real time. What I have
come to see is that God doesn't want us to try at all cost not to be
like sheep, but to learn from them.
Recently
I was able to share with a group of elementary school children some of
the things I have learned from the sheep. I share them with you now, so
that maybe when you next look at the nativity scene you will look at
that shepherd and his sheep a little differently.
First,
let's address their intelligence. Poor sheep have been branded as
stupid animals. Let me tell you, they are quite intelligent. If they
want to go somewhere and get into something, they work really hard to
figure out a way to accomplish their goal. Let me give you an example.
We have to keep out compost pile in a fence so the sheep don't get in
an eat something that might make them sick. However, we need a gate so
we can get in and out with a wheel barrow, and the gate needs a cut out
so the chickens can get in and work the compost pile. Well, those smart
sheep have figured out how to get it open. One in particular has
perfected this move. She puts her head in the cut out for the chickens
and lifts up. This unlatches the gate hooks and then she backs out
opening the gate.
So while sheep are
incredibly intelligent, the problem arises that they don't always see
the danger that lies ahead in their quest to get whatever they are
after. Sound familiar? How many of us have come up witha great plan
only to find that it wasn't such a great plan after all? The great
thing about sheep is that once they find that the shepherd has
effectively blocked that plan, they mostly go with it. They stay with
in the fences the shepherd sets out. Maybe we should learn from the
sheep?
Second,
sheep love their shepherd. They want to spend time with him/her. God
tells us that His sheep know his voice. (John 10:27) This is so true!
They know my voice (they also know the sound of my car). But something
I have learned about the sheep is they tend to know when I am coming.
They are on their way over to me, even before I call them. It almost
seems like they are always looking for me. And another thing, once they
see me they come RUNNING!
God calls
himself our "Good Shepherd". (John 10:11) How many of us are seeking
our shepherd so intently that we see Him before He sees us? I know God
is omnipotent, but you know what I mean. Are you running toward him to
bask in His attention before He even has a chance to call us? Honestly,
I can't say I am always so intent on seeking our shepherd as my sheep
are at seeking me out--and God is a much better shepherd than I am!
Another
thing I have observed is that sheep stick together. Sheep have no
means of defense. None! They don't even have top teeth! So sheep
stick together as a means of defense. They have to--safety in numbers.
Not only that, if you are a mountain lion and are trying to get a sheep
dinner, it is going to be very hard to single out one of that massive
amount of fluffy wool. If one sheep strays, it is more than likely
going to end up dinner. Hebrews tells us not to forsake the fellowship
of other believers. The bible also tells us that the devil is like a
prowling lion, just waiting for one of us to stray from the flock.
Learn from the sheep--don't go out alone!
I
have learned so much from our sheep that I could go on for days. But, I
will mention one more thing. I had to learn very quickly that sheep
cannot be herded. They will not be pushed into anything. We spent a
good hour in the dark the first night we had these sheep trying to herd
them into the barn. They were having nothing of it. I am sure we
scared them to death trying to surround them in the dark and push them
into the barn. Let's just say we were highly unsuccessful! What we
learned that night was that we had to spend time with the sheep for them
to learn to trust us and then when we called, they would follow us
quite happily into the barn. No fuss, no muss. Now when I want them to
come, I just have to call and they come running and will follow me
anywhere. And if I have a bowl of grain in my hand, they will beat me
to the barn!
What does God tell us in
the bible? " I will stand at the door and knock". God is not going to
herd us, or force us like cattle. He isn't going to force us to accept
him. He is going to spend time with us, and then when we trust and
believe, we will come when He calls and follow him where ever he leads
us. That joy that it bring him when we come running to him causes his
heart to erupt with blessings that come forth to his flock in the way of
his peace and security, contentment, joy and love that we can share
with others.
So
why sheep? Why not a cat, a dog, a chicken? Let's look at a few of
those. The cat: highly intelligent, but fiercely independent. They are
not willing to be led, unless they decide to. They don't really need a
shepherd, they can feed, clean, entertain and protect themselves. If
you own a cat, you know what I mean.
So
what about a dog? Dogs are fiercely loyal, great companions,
intelligent creatures. But they are protectors. Think about it, Sheep
dogs? They help the shepherd, but they don't need the shepherd. God
doesn't need a protector.
So what
about a chicken? NO! Just NO! When I sprinkle feed for them out side
the run door, half of them run out the door to eat the feed and the
other half try to run through the chicken wire. Not Chickens!
God
chose to call himself our Good Shepherd, not because he wants to shake
his head in disgust every time we get ourselves into a pickle. God uses
that analogy of the shepherd and sheep because he wants us to be like
sheep--he wants us to learn from them. The Bible says, "We like sheep
have gone astray. . " Not to make us feel like stupid animals who can't
do anything right, but to say: "I love you, you have so many good
qualities like these sheep, learn from them. Stay together as a group,
follow your shepherd, stay within the fences of the bible, spend time
with your shepherd.
So
this Christmas, when you hear the Christmas Story and those shepherds
show up, think again about those shepherds and sheep. I think a reason
that God chose to have them there was an allusion to who was in that
manger. The Good Shepherd was just placed in that manger, and there
bending over him with wide eyes and wonder were those shepherds, a
picture of Jesus himself and his flock.
Merry Christmas,
Love The Gaskills
Thank You Mom!-Anne
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