When our children were small it was easy to tell them when and how to be on guard. Correction with protection went hand in hand. We kept them safe! Then they grew up… and we had to trust them to their own decision making, conscience, and wisdom. We hoped everything we taught had stuck.
The same went for spiritual guidance. We told them all we knew to be true, every treasure we personally had discovered, and the greatest Joy we’d ever found- Jesus! But even in being as vulnerable as possible, our little flock had to decide for themselves. Who were they going to follow? Each an independent thinker, and experimental-adventurer, they’ve taken their own route to find what life has to offer.
Jesus warned His sheep, that all potential shepherds should be evaluated by their fruit: words sifted, actions weighed. Strong caution was advised: No imposters, no intruders!
So, I pray daily that our little sheep raised for God: will listen only to the Good Shepherd. Never follow an imposter‘s voice. And never be deceived by a pretender.
John 10:1-11
1 “I tell you the solemn truth, the one who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.
2 The One who enters by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep.
3 The Doorkeeper opens the door for Him, and the sheep hear His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When He has brought all His own sheep out, He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow Him because they recognize His voice.
5 They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not recognize the stranger’s voice.
…8 All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” –Jesus
ForGlorySake! –Anna
