The Good Shepherd

Do you ever get so overwhelmed by His Love that it hurts? The realization that we are not worthy of what He so generously gives (Matthew 10:8). His Love is so whole, complete, so unwavering that He will leave the 99 for that one lost sheep.  I want to believe that we all at some point in our lives, have been that one lost sheep that wandered off a little too far from Him. Jesus as our Good Shepherd (John 10:14) leaves the 99 to go and find us and brings us back (Matthew 18:12). He puts us on His shoulders and with tender love He would tell us how much He missed us, how happy He is to have found us.  Ohh, only He can love us like that!

And what happens to the 99 while Jesus in His mercy goes and finds the one?  Do we let the oil in our lamps run dry? Absolutely not! The Holy Spirit remains with us, He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). We need to stand firm and courageous.  It takes faith, courage, and strength in the waiting; waiting for the answers, like not now, soon, no, yes, maybe, or for some, we won't get our answer until we are in His presence. 

I want to be one of the 99, where my faith is so strong that it is unmovable in the presence of a storm.  That my joy is constant, even if my circumstances are compromised, when relationships are crumbling, when my heart is the loneliest, and my mind is full of lies about how unworthy I am.  I want to “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” (Colossians 1:9-12)

I want to be the 99, just like the church, His bride, waiting for His return.  That He would say Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23).  And I would respond, I was strong because in my weakness You were there!