In the 10th chapter of John, Jesus describes Himself in an interesting way. He calls Himself the “good shepherd.” This is interesting because so many of us have created a shepherd that is not very good at all. What would make a shepherd good in the eyes of a sheep? Well, for one He would be very easy to follow! But we imagine Jesus being so difficult to follow that at any second we imagine it possible to make one wrong decision and lose His entire plan for our life. But this is not the Shepherd we serve!
In fact, the shepherd we serve (if indeed you serve Him) is SO good that he came to purchase freedom for us! This isn’t something we should take lightly. It says in Scripture that “it is for freedom He has set us free!” So the lie that following Jesus means a bunch of rules and regulations is entirely foreign to the message Jesus brought. In Christ we are actually free to follow the “desire of the nations!’
Take a look at the picture above and try to remember what it was like to be 5 and 6 years of age. Remember the freedom that you didn’t really understand but can now see so clearly? What if God’s plan for you today is that you would walk in THAT level of freedom (and beyond) as you understand His heart for you. What if you really believed that your good shepherd was going to provide for you so you could stop worrying about your bills, your schedule and your many concerns?
I think God has given us permission to not worry. In fact, the Good Shepherd is also the Prince of Peace, which means He is incredible at leading us to peace….because HE is peace! So by following Him you are already covered in the peace He offers!
So today….TODAY….you have permission to stop worrying. To believe that peace is yours (because it is if you are in Christ) and to walk in the reality that you are following the Prince of Peace and the Good Shepherd (who happens to be the same person).
I would love to hear back from you about how you chose to do this today! (mark@theproegers.com)
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