On Being a Sheep

Quick quotes: We, your people, the flock of your pasture, will give you thanks forever Ps 79
My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Jn10:27
Moses said to the Lord "May the Lord set over the community a man who shall act as their leader...so that the Lord's community may not be like sheep without a shepherd"

Without a shepherd sheep can still exist, maybe. If they don't become prey. If they don't die from starvation or dehydration. The sheep by themselves don't know the way to thrive. See the early posts on this blog about being a sheep, and learning to love the rod and staff. With our personal savior we have a "good shepherd" who comes after us and restores us to the flock when we are lost. Are you lost? Do you feel alone and unloved, battling hardships that seem unfair? That alone does not mean you are lost, since we are called to follow Christ to the cross and through the suffering to share in his resurrection. The real sign seems to be: are you having trouble with sincerely singing God's song of love from your heart? Can you forgive those who wrong you? Can you love in spite of finding sin in your fellow? If that is the case, then call out constantly to your good shepherd. Look for the other sheep who do not share your problem, and try to learn what they know. If you do not understand, then trust blindly in the wisdom of the ages and the church which Christ founded and leads through the successor of Peter.