Gods Child

     Today’s blog will lead us into our next section of Ephesians Chapter 2.  Throughout the Word of God we are referred to as sheep, God’s sheep.  Why does God use the analogy of sheep?  Why not goats, or cattle, or any number of herd animals?  And if we are sheep why do act like a bunch of mules; becoming stubborn, hardheaded, “Jack Asses”.  That is not a cuss word; I use it merely to make my point.  In a hurting and dying world we add to the problem instead of demonstrating the solution.

     Let us talk about sheep for a minute.  What separates them from the other heard animals?  What makes them special enough to be used as an analogy by our Father in heaven?  Sheep are calm and gentle animals who are not easily excited.  They do not pay much attention to the dangers around them but continue to go about their business of eating and resting.  This is why a Shepherd is required.  The Shepherd is there to keep vigilance and watch for dangers.  He also rescues the occasional sheep who has wandered too far from the flock.  You often find sheep and goats grazing together under one Shepherd.  The goats feed on the taller grasses making room for the sheep to get to the sweet tender grass beneath.  Goats will eat anything whereas sheep are very particular about what they eat.  Sheep do not realize that goats are different than them.  The Shepherd separates the goats from the sheep when the time is right..  Sheep will go wherever their Shepherd leads them.  They are very in tune to his voice and obey his commands.  If one is having trouble the Shepherd picks him up and carries him or the other sheep gather round him to keep him moving forward.  The key to their survival is staying together in one flock and obeying the Shepherd which means they trust him to know best.  You will not find one sheep trying to be the top dog in the flock.  They do not discriminate against each other in any way.  They all stay together on one accord each feeding on their part of the grass not trying to steal someone else’s.  They are a content lot. 

     So what is God really saying to us when He calls us sheep?  He calls us sheep because that is how He expects for us to act.  He wants us to all stay together as one flock being content with what we have and not jealous over what another has.  We are to feed on His Word to receive our nourishment and rest in His sight.  We are to obey His voice and follow where He leads.  We are to trust Him in all things and though the road is rocky and rough we still must follow the Good Shepherd.  He alone knows the Way.  The next time you see your fellow sheep having trouble gather round him and keep him moving forward.  The Good Shepherd will carry him if it is needed.  Do not discriminate against him because he is different.  Do not concern yourself over whether he is a goat or not.  The Good Shepherd will separate him at the appointed time. 

     This is a very brief description of the analogy.  I urge you to do further research into sheep and really meditate on their behavior.  Are you acting like a sheep?  I hope you are.  That is what God wants us to act like and why God calls us sheep in His Word so many times.  Be a part of the flock.

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