WHAT GOD DOES WITH THE WANDERING

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

Often in scripture God compares His people to sheep. Personally, I would much rather be compared to another animal—a stallion, a tiger, or even a bear. But no, we are equated with sheep. Sheep aren’t the smartest of animals. They are defenseless and prone to wander. They are fully dependent upon their shepherd. Umm, sounds familiar to me. Does it to you? God is very wise in His comparisons!

In Matthew 18 Jesus tells the parable of a sheep that went astray and became lost. The shepherd left the other sheep and went out to search for the one that was lost. Oh, the love and care of that shepherd. He left all to bring the one back to the fold.

I am that sheep that Jesus sought. I was wandering in sin, and Jesus found me and saved me. Even now that I am His, I am prone to wander. I wander in my thoughts by failing to obey His command: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (Philippians 4:8). I wander in my conversations when I allow unwholesome talk to come from my mouth (Ephesians 4:29). I wander in my actions when I pursue my will and not God’s.

However, I have a Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who continually searches for me and brings me near to Him. God is all-knowing and all-present. So how does He search for me? He calls through His still, small voice. He calls his own sheep by name…his sheep follow him because they know his voice (John 10:3-4). His Spirit convicts me of what I should be doing (John 16:8). At times He even corrects me, as a loving father would discipline his child (Hebrews 12:7-11).

Have you wandered away from your Shepherd in your thoughts, words or actions? Do you hear that still, small voice calling you back to intimate fellowship with Him?

I praise you Jesus as my Shepherd, who is not content to let me wander!

Jan Burkhart