“The closer we are to the shepherd, the safer we are from the wolves.”
I love that quote so much I posted it on social media recently. On the wall of the room where I journal there is a print that depicts Jesus as the good shepherd, and it illustrates this quote perfectly. As I sat in my favorite room recently, I looked at the print for a while before journaling some thoughts. I wrote about needing Jesus as my shepherd and even did a small study about shepherds and what they do. It made me understand the need for a shepherd even more. Like humans, sheep are instinctively fearful and resistant to change. They gather but will wander away from the flock if they get distracted. And a few sheep can easily lead the others astray.In Isaiah 53:6, the prophet Isaiah describes our human nature: All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s path to follow our own, straying from what is right.
Why do we do this? Could it be because we think the grass is greener on the other side of the hill? Or are we content… until we get into trouble? Or maybe we are just so misguided that we think our own path is better than the one God has planned for us.
These days, shepherds herd sheep. But during Jesus’ time, the shepherd led his sheep. Psalms 23 says, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He leads me to green meadows and beside still water. He renews my strength. He restores my soul. He comforts and protects me in the darkest valley and fills my life with blessings until it overflows. And 
HE is the one who leads me back to God’s path when I stray from it on my own.
HE is the one who leads me back to God’s path when I stray from it on my own.When I finished journaling, I realized that the Good Shepherd provides me everything I need if I stay close to him. When I veer off His path, the wolves come closer. Am I allowing Jesus to lead me in His perfect gentle way or am I moving in my own direction? What about you? If you’ve been feeling distracted, fearful, or resisting change, the Good Shepherd invites you to step back on the path and allow Him to lead. On this path, with His steady hand, He will restore your soul and provide blessings and protection in the darkest valley.