An Inkling
For many it’s the favorite biblical image for our relationship with God: “the Lord is my shepherd.” So reads Psalm 23, depicting in just a few lines some truly prized aspects of our relationship with God. Jesus picked up the same image, and described himself as the good shepherd.
In both Old and New Testament versions, if the Lord is the shepherd, then we are the sheep. As you know, that’s not exactly high praise! While sheep provide the essentials for cozy sweaters, they aren’t especially well known for their cerebral capacities. But one thing you can say for sheep: they do follow a good shepherd.
Not so cats. Ever heard of something being “harder than herding cats?” It’s not a biblical image, but it’s definitely picturesque. Imagine a shepherd with a bunch of cats – trying to get them to lie down in green pastures or to lead them beside still waters. Cats are so independent and contrary that they can hardly be led, much less herded. The master must win the cat’s confidence in order to lure the fickle feline toward the desired end.
Would that we were as responsive to the Good Shepherd as are sheep! But in fact we’re more like cats, constantly shooting off toward our latest headstrong whim. Thus our Lord has a challenge. He can use raw power to accomplish his purpose in our lives. He has plenty of such power to use. Yet his goal is not to beat us, but to win us. And given our contrary nature, winning us is no small thing.
May it be that the Master’s love would so captivate our hearts that we would readily lay aside our cat-like obstinacy and follow his lead. For he really does lead us to green pastures and still waters. And we would do well to become more “sheepish!”
Baaaaa,
Keith
