I Just Wanna be a Sheep (ba ba ba ba)

John 10:1-10 (The Message) ^1-5 "Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he's up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won't follow a stranger's voice but will scatter because they aren't used to the sound of it."

 ^6-10Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
 
These days, shepherds are not very common, but their occupation is still used in many parallels.  A shepherd's job was to keep watch over his flock round the clock.  He was to guard that herd with his life, tend to them, protect them, and make sure they made it to their destination safely.  So, the shepherd has a very important role in the lives of these sheep, without him, they would have to fend for themselves against predators, and they would be lost, ever roaming sheep, no purpose. In the above passage, Jesus describes how sheep only come to the call of the shepherd, because they recognize His voice, they spend every hour of their lives with this protector, they know him., they trust him. 
 
Now, I've always heard the story of the lost sheep, and have read passages about Jesus being our shepherd, and I love that as our shepherd He protects us, seeks after us, and watches over us. However, I've always thought, that's great, but that means we are sheep, and sheep are pretty lame.  They are sheep! Why would God care about some hairy, stinky, grass eating, animal who can only communicate through baaas? Well I did a little research about shepherds and sheep and it hit me; the shepherd cares for his sheep because they are valuable. 
 
Now, this may not be a new revelation to you, but it was to me.  You see sheep have three purposes; wool, milk, and meat. They are not all the same, there are many different kinds of sheep. And, just like sheep, we humans have different breeds, gifts, and talents.  The Shepherd's job is to make sure that these sheep stay whole and healthy until they reach their destination, where they will use their resources.  Are you catching what I'm saying? Jesus watches over us, prepares us, and guides us throughout our lives because we are valuable to Him, we have a purpose! Sheep are sounding better by the minute!
 
In the above passage, Jesus talks about being our shepherd, how we (the sheep) only come to his call, that anyone/anything else that tries to sneak past Him is a theif, a devouring wolf.  I wonder, how many times do we sheep forget who our shepherd is? How many times do we let the wolf in and allow him to destroy our talents, our purpose?  To tell us we are "just sheep," we have no value?
 
My favorite part in this passage is the last verse: 10"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. " In the NIV version it says that he came to give life ABUNDANTLY! Love that word! I must admit this week I have allowed the thief to come in and steal my joy. I have gotten bogged down by expectations, allowed tiredness and selfishness to creep in, and as a result, I have missed out on some of that life so abundant.  Whenever I am feeling insecure, selfish, lost, just in a stinky mood, I try to remember that I am letting the wolf win. Then, when I stop and listen, I can hear the shepherd calling. I am reminded that I am His sheep, and that wolf has no power over me, for I belong to the shepherd. This was a good reminder for me today, I hope it is for you too.
 
So today, the rest of the week, whenever, I pray that we would stop letting the theif steal our joy, that we would be proud to be a sheep and embrace the life of joyful abundance! 
 
I don't know about you, but I just wanna be a sheep :)   (ba ba ba ba) Love you all!