Spring and warm weather is starting to arrive, which means we can go outside without freezing! With this new weather, we are able to be outside more and enjoy God’s astonishing creations.
A friend and I were recently at one of our local colleges to take pictures and to walk around. It was so beautiful, and there was green all around us. Every time I go out and walk in God’s creation he made for me, I always think about my own walk with him.
That got me thinking, “How do I make my relationship with God stronger and more beautiful?”
Over the past few weeks, God has been teaching me more about him and how he is the Good Shepherd.
My youth pastor mentioned John 10 one Wednesday night, in which Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd. After reading this passage, I fell in love with it! This passage gives me peace when my heart is heavy, and it becomes a light when I’m in darkness.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
In the past couple of weeks, the devil threw a lot at me. At one point, it felt like I was being held down. But in those moments of weakness and worry, God never fails to remind me that he is the Good Shepherd.
God never misses an opportunity to show me his goodness and faithfulness towards me. Even on our worst days, God whispers to us, “Stand up my child, and walk with me.”
In John 10, Jesus was at the Mount of Olives speaking to a Jewish audience, some of whom thought he was possessed by a demon. We know he wasn’t possessed by a demon, but not everyone understood his figure of speech and thought he was insane. They thought this because Jesus identified himself with God the Father.
Jesus said if we walk with him, not in the way of the wicked, we will find the pasture God made for us. Pasture means his peace and plan for our lives.
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Jesus said he is the Good Shepherd, and he will lay down his life for his sheep. In saying this, Jesus foretold his death for us on the cross. He said no one will take his sheep from him, and he proved that when he died on the cross for us.
Jesus calls his sheep by name, and they follow him. He goes before them preparing the way. He knows his sheep, and his sheep know him.
What a shepherd teaches us about Jesus
Jesus gave us insight into his plan for his people. Just like a shepherd, Jesus guides us when we are lost and brings us back to him when we stray away.
He used the analogy of a shepherd and his sheep because he wanted to show he is a God of simplicity, not confusion.
He gave us this picture of him as a shepherd to show he is active in our lives every day! A shepherd tends to his sheep every second and is constantly watching out for them. Jesus loves us so much to be there with us every second of the way.
Putting the Good Shepherd’s plan into action
Jesus said no one is able to snatch us out of his Father’s hand, absolutely nobody. How hopeful it is to know the Father has you in the palm of his hand! Knowing this, you have the ability to walk in freedom with your Father every day: freedom from anxiety, freedom from depression and freedom from anything else the devil is going to throw at you.
So, why do we worry about tomorrow? Why do we listen to the devil’s lies about us? The Bible says the devil can only tell a lie, and Jesus is incapable of telling a lie.
Our Father is holding our world in the palm of his hands. If you just remind yourself about this every day, your walk with Jesus will become stronger.
He is our great defender when we don’t have the strength to stand anymore. Just knowing who holds my world and who defends me every day brings me so much peace when I get overwhelmed with worry.
Remain faithful to Jesus, and walk with him daily. Know he is guiding you everywhere you go and that he never leaves his sheep.
Jesus holds you in his hands, and he will defend you. The Good Shepherd is going to be with you every step of the way, tending to you, defending you and preparing the way for you.
Anna Shannon is a sophomore in high school and is homeschooled. She is an Acteen at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas.
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