The Chase

It has been so long, and frankly way overdue. But God has His very unique way of getting our attention. He has been nudging me to write again. Those nudges came in the form of complete strangers, friends and unemployment. I journal daily as my method of playing it safe. As if saying, "See, I'm being obedient. I'm writing." When, if I stood back and reflect, half obedience is still disobedience. Because if we asked our kids to take out the trash and cut the grass, and only the trash was emptied. What parent wouldn't have something to say about the yard work not being completed? Ha! So here goes my obedience, I do not know where it will lead but I do trust the One prompting me to get to it...

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it." - Luke 15:4

Jesus: the Good Shepherd
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...John 10


I don't know why when I read these verses and chapter in John I link them. I automatically envision a cartoon in my head. Maybe it is God's word coming alive to me or my love of cartoons as a kid on an early Saturday morning. Whatever the reason, I get a visual of the one sheep wandering off thinking he knows the best route to get what he wants and needs. The sheep separates from the flock en route to the refreshing brook but The Good Shepherd knows it will not quench his thirst. The brook that appears attractive due to its convenience is actually filled with murky water. And thus, the chase begins. The Good Shepherd chases that one sheep running downhill. However, you can't hide from Him (The Good Shepherd). In fact, you can not out run Him either. He slides down that hill to get there faster than His sheep. Who by the way, recognizes The Good Shepherd's voice because he belongs to Him. After the one sheep drinks from the brook, he realizes the water no longer shimmered. It was only the light from the sun. He remembers hearing the voice of The Good Shepherd shouting, "Look up to the hills little sheep, where does your help come from?" When the one sheep looks up, his eyes are fixed upon The Good Shepherd. There he takes the one sheep and cares for him. Gives him living water as they enjoy the journey of walking back together up the hill where they use to be before he became lost, distracted, misguided or carried away by his desires. The flock of other sheep are waiting there on the hill. Those sheep gathered on the hill waiting for The Good Shepherd, well...they are the welcoming committee for the lost sheep to be embraced in love as he rejoins the flock. 😊 The way it unfolds in my head makes me wish I could create a short animation like those that play before a movie at the theater. For now, this written account will have to do.