Following the Leader
Published June 4, 2007
John 10: 3-4
“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
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Recently my husband and I went to Ohio to attend a Bible conference. The weather in April was unseasonably cold in the Columbus area then, and when we rented a car to get to the hotel, we had to be very careful of the rain, sleet, and snow.
That night, early arrivers met for dinner at a local restaurant. Jeff and I, with our passengers Tim and Amy, and printed directions, caravanned behind other cars to our destination. It was a nice time of food, “getting to know you”, and re-acquaintance. By the time we left, most others had already returned to the hotel. It was dark, cold, and rainy, but we had the printed directions. The only catch was that we needed to stop by a drugstore to pick up some cough medicine, and with confidence, I announced that I saw a RiteAid ® on our way to the restaurant. Well, that was when the problems began. There was an empty dirt lot where I said the store should have been, none of the cross streets were listed our directions, and …my bladder was full!
Though the rain was light, being lost in an unfamiliar place at night was scary. As we wandered through old sections of town, I noticed that there was a car that was following us. Jeff turned left, and sure enough, the car behind us turned left. Jeff pulled over and the car pulled along side. The windows came down and there smiling brightly was another couple we had met, Ed and Dana. With kind humor about California drivers, they led us back to the hotel.
There are some interesting elements in my adventure which point to what we should do if lost based upon today’s verses. In this story of the good shepherd, Jesus teaches that God’s children must listen for direction (…the sheep hear his voice…), know that it is God’s will (…he calls his own sheep by name…), and follow Jesus (…leads them out.)
Typically, we think our way is best, get lost and confused, and then have to allow Jesus to be the leader. My adventure turned out fine (and the butt joviality during the conference), but some of us have wandered far away from Jesus. We need to stop and reconnect to the Father with prayer. Be patient and listen for his directions. Then let Him lead you through the dark and rainy times, back to safety.
**** ****
Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. I am your sheep. When I am wandering and lost, help me to know your voice, heed your direction, and follow you. I pray this of your Father, the Great I AM. Amen.
John 10: 3-4
“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
**** ****
Recently my husband and I went to Ohio to attend a Bible conference. The weather in April was unseasonably cold in the Columbus area then, and when we rented a car to get to the hotel, we had to be very careful of the rain, sleet, and snow.
That night, early arrivers met for dinner at a local restaurant. Jeff and I, with our passengers Tim and Amy, and printed directions, caravanned behind other cars to our destination. It was a nice time of food, “getting to know you”, and re-acquaintance. By the time we left, most others had already returned to the hotel. It was dark, cold, and rainy, but we had the printed directions. The only catch was that we needed to stop by a drugstore to pick up some cough medicine, and with confidence, I announced that I saw a RiteAid ® on our way to the restaurant. Well, that was when the problems began. There was an empty dirt lot where I said the store should have been, none of the cross streets were listed our directions, and …my bladder was full!
Though the rain was light, being lost in an unfamiliar place at night was scary. As we wandered through old sections of town, I noticed that there was a car that was following us. Jeff turned left, and sure enough, the car behind us turned left. Jeff pulled over and the car pulled along side. The windows came down and there smiling brightly was another couple we had met, Ed and Dana. With kind humor about California drivers, they led us back to the hotel.
There are some interesting elements in my adventure which point to what we should do if lost based upon today’s verses. In this story of the good shepherd, Jesus teaches that God’s children must listen for direction (…the sheep hear his voice…), know that it is God’s will (…he calls his own sheep by name…), and follow Jesus (…leads them out.)
Typically, we think our way is best, get lost and confused, and then have to allow Jesus to be the leader. My adventure turned out fine (and the butt joviality during the conference), but some of us have wandered far away from Jesus. We need to stop and reconnect to the Father with prayer. Be patient and listen for his directions. Then let Him lead you through the dark and rainy times, back to safety.
**** ****
Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. I am your sheep. When I am wandering and lost, help me to know your voice, heed your direction, and follow you. I pray this of your Father, the Great I AM. Amen.
posted by Karen Vaughn | 6:39 AM
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