We recently moved one of our daughters back to Florida, where she’ll be enrolled in graduate school over the next couple of years. Perrin and I actually enjoyed the fact that we spent our 30th anniversary helping with this move, getting Evelyn all settled into her new home in Tallahassee.
In the midst of that, I was mindful of what a blessing and treasure it is that we remain so close to our children. It’s what every parent ultimately desires, for their children to welcome the loving support and guidance from mom and dad as they continue to age forward into adulthood.
Evelyn’s trust and receptivity to our guidance is a gift, and it brings to mind the familiar and beloved imagery of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. It’s comforting imagery because we know good shepherds are careful to guide their sheep, keep them safe, and provide for their every need. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,…” meaning that, because of the relationship we have with God, we are well cared for and have all of our needs met, and are therefore safe, content, and fulfilled. And isn’t that what every human heart longs for – safety, contentment, and fulfillment?
We are sheep in the care of our Good Shepherd, and our first calling is to live as sheep who know and follow his voice. “The sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” When we do this, not only are we nurtured, protected, and guided by the One who made us and loves us, but we are then also better able to help shepherd others toward Christ.
So this is a reminder and encouragement for each of us, as we approach these summer weeks, to stay connected to the word and voice of our Good Shepherd. For as Jesus said in our Gospel lesson a few weeks ago, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
– Tom
“The sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” – John 10:4b