It is late April, and three sheep are sitting comfortably in the cool shade of a live oak on a massive ranch in Texas. As they lazily chew their cud, a conversation ensues. 

Gabby: “I can hear our shepherd’s four-wheeler. I wonder where we’re headed next?”

Grateful: “I heard we are going to a pasture where the grass is neck high, the water is sweet, and there are no storms.” 

Brash: “I doubt it. I heard we hafta go up into the steep mountains. My older brother said there are lions up there. I’m thinking about staying behind if I can hide from shepherd. He’s always making us leave the nice places.”

After a few silent moments of ruminating, Gabby blurts out, “How about this weather?”

Brash: “Looks like rain or maybe even hail. I don’t understand why the shepherd doesn’t just shut off the rain. He seems to be able to control everything else. He has all these connections and resources we don’t have, and he supposedly has our best interest at heart.”

Then suddenly the conversation shifts as they notice some trucks with large bale trailers pulling up to the shearing barn. Brash exclaims: “They are going to fleece us!  And just when I am getting warm! Why do they do that to us?”

Gabby: “I was at the water hole and heard someone say they take our hair and burn it to the gods.”

Grateful: “Relax guys. I got lost one year and missed the shearing. You wouldn’t believe how hot and heavy you feel when you don’t get sheared. I think it’s a good thing. I always feel so much cooler and lighter.”

Brash: “Don’t be so sappy. The shepherd doesn’t care about you!”

Grateful: “How would you know? Last year he stepped between me and a mountain lion – He saved my life!”

Brash: “We’ll he’s never done anything like that for me.” 

From a human perspective it is easy to see how foolish it is for the sheep to pontificate too much beyond their paygrade. Their role in life is to just be sheep. They serve themselves best when they accept the help their shepherd is willing to provide for them, and then cooperate with his plans. 

From a Biblical perspective it is easy to see how foolish it is for mankind to pontificate too much beyond his paygrade. Fortunately, Our Good Shepherd has given us a book of wisdom that gives us insight to His way of thinking. Although even the brightest among us won’t understand everything about life, we can read the stories of other sheep and their life with the Shepherd. Here are some conclusions that wisdom and those stories can help us draw:

• The best life for sheep (mankind) is to trust their Shepherd (God) and learn to enjoy everything He provides.
• Life is hard, but sheep can’t figure out life and learn how to take care of themselves. They will always need the Shepherd.
• Sheep will never understand the real reasons behind what their Shepherd does. They must simply trust.
• The key to a joyful life is stay close to the Shepherd and get over the temptation to take charge and assume sheep can figure everything out.

King David understood these principles when he wrote: God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. (Psalm 23 MSG)