Once I was a jolly, healthy sheep
Then I thought my pen a jail;
Restrained and crowded
Roving with querulous siblings
Eating what I have to, not what
I want: I wanted bad, I wanted junks
But the Shepherd provided needs only:
My wants craved and called
Until the day I chose the uncertainties
Of getting lost, adventures of lustfulness.
Now constantly eating, yet lacking nutrition
I continue to wander, yet wanting direction:
I am a sheep chasing my own devices
Far from home and hope, besieged on every side.
I was told a sheep was not made to live for self
A sheep is not meant to lead itself
But I am a sheep without discernment
So now I wander in and out of traps.

Food For Thought: I learned that one of the greatest wreckers of Christian faith is not sin, not money which is labelled the root of all evil: it is lack of discernment. Unable to see beyond presentations, many have jumped for what they thought was great only to end in a pit. We like to be in charge, to run our lives our way but before God, we are sheep and He is our Shepherd. The roles of sheep and Shepherd are clearly defined and things work in harmony when these roles and responsibilities are honored. Funny enough, a lot of sheep know more about being a shepherd than being the sheep that they ought to be. Consequently, nothing the Shepherd does turns out satisfactory. That is how many of us have turned ungrateful sheep who do not appreciate the contributions of our Shepherd. We grumble and complain about everything. We rarely say, “Thank you,” for anything. We feel entitled and take everything for granted. We wish we were in charge of our lives – living as we want. There are many out there living as they want: take a look and think before you dash out. There is no defense for a sheep without the coverage of a Shepherd. There is a limit to what we can see and do for ourselves. No matter how old and smart we grow, we never outgrow our need for the Shepherd: be wise and escape the woes that stalk the lost.

Scripture: Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. Psalm 91: 3.

Prayer: Dear Lord, it is easy to take for granted, all the privileges of living under the shadow of Your wings: may I not lose what I have in order to appreciate them: may I value them while I have them, amen.