sheep

As long as there is even the slightest suspicion of danger from dogs, coyotes, mountain lions, or other predators, sheep remain standing, ready to flee for their lives. This is because they have no means of self-defense; they are helpless, timid, and feeble. About the only thing they can do is run.

Phillip Keller tells about a city-slicker friend coming to his sheep ranch to visit. The car door opened up and out jumped a Pekinese puppy. One look at this slobbering miniature furball sent 200 sheep running off in sheer terror!

When I read that, I decided to conduct my own experiment. Riding along on my motorcycle I got as close as I could to a sheep and honked my horn. All he did was look up — and ring his bell.

As to the sheep of Christ’s fold, only the presence of their Shepherd, their Master, and Protector, will quiet and reassure them when danger lurks — be it specter or substantive in nature. “The LORD is my Shepherd…” (Psalm 23).

About halfway through college, I decided to alter God’s plan for my life! His plan was a seminary, but I suggested to Him a better idea, a plan that seemed to be a better fit: I’d heard about a great union job driving a milk truck!

I’d have to commute into L.A., but the pay and benefits were fabulous! I could provide better for my family — and the Lord knows we need good laymen in the workforce. Besides, this job seemed better suited to my personality and abilities. This decision turned out to be the story of Jonah revisited!

• The drive into/around L.A. was simply wonderful: Great air, friendly-freeway drivers, courteous city-citizens
• The hours were so long and unpredictable I had to drop a night class — and missed a concert that was already paid for (Noel Paul Stookey — of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame)
• I hit a guy on a bicycle
• I clipped an Asian guy’s car in an intersection
• Had a blow-out on the front tire of the milk truck
• Nearly crashed the truck with a front-end wobble
• Got a ticket for excessive smoke (not me, the milk truck!)
• Had a rash of bad milk — customers blamed me for it
• The coup de gras was that I got laid off!

By far, the worse thing was that the whole time I felt I was out of the will of God (God blesses us with a conscience and the Holy Spirit’s promptings for a reason!).

I side-stepped God’s will by getting ahead of Him. By focusing on me and my perceived weaknesses instead of God’s promise of strength and provision, I was distracted and then derailed. Instead of being planned (i.e., following GOD’S plan), I was premature. God wasn’t working quickly or clear enough for me. Who knows how things would have ended up had I continued in my presumption!

So, to avoid making this same mistake, be planned, not premature; walk with God, not ahead of Him. David reminds us in Psalm 23 that God does in fact lead His sheep. All we need do is follow where He takes us — and not get ahead of Him when “things” seem a little fuzzy or when it seems God is moving too slow!