Awoken by the rustle of the others, I rose to a new day. My first was to look and see the One. And like every morning, there sat He...our Shepherd. Looking out over the fields ahead on to a valley hazed by the morning fog.
The sun began to break through the crisp air clinging to the tree above us. While coming to stance, shaking the saturated mud clinging to my cloven hooves, I remembered where we were and shifted my glance to check my surroundings. While I turned away to ensure I am safe, He neared with His rod. Myself and the others quickly pounced into formation. Ready to go and feed.
We look to Him with great anticipation as He counts if none of the others wondered off during the night. Not that He was asleep, but more so to show me He makes doubly sure we are accounted for. None of them that was given Him shall be lost. And off we go.
By now the fog has some what dissipated and the sun was beginning to warm our coats as we head out. I keep my eyes fixed on Him and try and get closer as we move on down in to a valley. Our formation somewhat breaks but He can see us all and strides on ever so strong before us. As I behold Him, I fret not myself about anything around me. Nothing alarms me...no threat concerns me. He brings us past a gentle river where the lush grass waits just for me to enjoy. We graze with soundtracks of calming waters. Not forgetting to look out for Him, we continue to consume all the goodness that He brought us to. And while we feed, He stands elevated on a rock overseeing us all. His sight is fixed on a area beyond what we can see. I know this cause I can see Him thinking and planning a route. But as I look up to review the path ahead, I see only dangers. The valley dips deeper into shaded spot where darkness might cause me to lose sight and footing. I see rocks and broken ways that could make me trip and fall on the wayside. As fear sets in and I began to wonder how we will make it through, I acknowledge the mirage of a enemy surrounding us.
In that moment I forgot my feeding and now needed to get away. My instinct urges we me to run into the covering bushes where I can hide. But before I could run He came to stand next to me. He too saw what I saw. In fact, He always knew of the ones surrounding us and was planning our way out of the valley. The dangers were not hidden from His ever present help. With a gentle nod of His staff He positioned me back on track.
With Him close to me and the others surrounding me with their gentle sounds, I reclaimed my confidence to set on with the journey. I'm right where I wanted to be...close to Him. Sometimes He is next to me and sometimes in front...even behind, but always around.
We arrived at a place where we needed to cross a small ridge. I analyzed the terrain and concluded I could do it. But I became afraid again! Soon as I wanted to run off and hide again, He grabbed me. For a moment He held me... His gentle hands firmly clinching my pounding heart. And then He spoke to me. Oh! what joy to hear His voice. The sounds of many waters rushing, so soothing...laying to rest my panic stricken self in His arms. After placing me back to the ground He guided me in how to cross. Supporting me with His staff, enabling me to make the cross effortlessly.
Once on the other side we could all trod carelessly again. Only to be greeted by a dark covered wilderness. The stinge of death hung in the air. The darkness overwhelming every part of the path ahead. I look back to remember the past greens where wonderful waters flowed. But this time and place was far gone. Without noticing I had stopped and fallen behind. My Shepherd was now way ahead! I began to shout and rant in fear. Without thinking, I set off toward Him but it had become too dark to find His foot prints. His aroma was no longer filling my senses and was a mere memory. The others scatter beside me, I see them too caught in the grip of fear and terror. I call out with all that I have within me. My sight deluded by the darkness, I begin to imagine the faint light my minds sees, is Him. As I ran to it I recalled how quickly I forgot how bright His light is. Surely this is not Him but maybe I could just have a bit of restoration from the relentless darkness. The false light brought me to even more fear and despair. I was now even more lost and away from my Saviour. But soon as I dropped my head and huddled up to perish in this place, I heard His voice! I looked up to gaze upon His glowing garments to find Him there where I was...right there where I was! His voice restoring my soul and casting out the fears of evil from inside me. Placing me firmly to stand again in the darkness, He begins to point out how to walk out into the life filled areas ahead.
As we make it out to the other side He commands our stop. Paused to reflect on the way I took through the past darkness. "Salvation is mine and you can not walk this road alone. I am the One who saves you. He who follows me will surely not walk in darkness. Think about how you wanted to save yourself from a darkness not brought on by either one of us. Let me provide for you. Let me be your guide. Fear no evil for I am with you always. Allow me to shepherd you for I am the Good Shepherd. I brought you past here to teach you that your salvation and righteousness is of Me...not of you yourself little sheep.
I am the Lord your God who says to you: Stay close and learn to trust the Way, I AM. Your life is in me the Life, I AM...the truth of you is in Me, the Truth, I AM.”
