Greener Grass

[Chad]

Greener Grass - May 29, 2006

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23

For years I had heard of this place and read about it many times. It was on my 'to do' list - as soon as possible. Finally an opportunity came up so I could go. I was almost afraid to be excited. Actually going could mean a big let-down after such a big build-up. Long story, short, got there; had a good time; enjoyed it very much. It was wonderful, and yet, I couldn't help thinking it wasn't so different from home.

Does the grass always look greener in other pastures? For the entire three years our family lived in Germany while my husband was in the army, we saw firsthand a modern day shepherd. Our apartment overlooked a pear orchard, and this man would move his herd of sheep around in the valley to graze. On the days we could see them below, the shepherd was always in their midst, never far away.

Several years ago I read a book by Philip Keller, a pastor who actually did sheepherding in South Africa at one time. I believe the title was, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23". The author had all sorts of great insights and information about the characteristics and habits of sheep. They have good qualities, yet they often will do things to get themselves in real trouble if left to their own devices. Apparently, without a shepherd to watch over them, rescue them and retrieve them, they would seldom survive.

The bible likens us to sheep, and Jesus is the Good Shepherd. What a wonderful thing that He is. Sticking with Him and the herd, we will have care and protection and no need to look for "greener grass".

Contributed by Marion Smith: noles65@aol.com Comments/Feedback are welcome.

 

[stephen]

"The author had all sorts of great insights and information about the characteristics and habits of sheep. They have good qualities, yet they often will do things to get themselves in real trouble if left to their own devices. Apparently, without a shepherd to watch over them, rescue them and retrieve them, they would seldom survive".
..................................................................
The school teacher asked the class......."If there were 100 sheep in the field and one sheep found a hole in the fence and wandered off, how many sheep would then be left in the field?"

The farmers son raised his hand and said "There would be none left Miss"
"There would be 99 sheep left" said the teacher, "how do you get the answer ,one". "Please Miss, said the boy, "you know arithmetic but I know sheep"

All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way..........It seems to be the nature of sheep to wander off. Always looking for something better?

We allow ourselves to become familiar to prayer, for instance, and forget just how powerful prayer to God can be........ We worship the Lord, expressing mighty words of praise, other days we are silent, forgetting how mighty those (familiar) words are. We wander off.

I maybe getting off topic.......sorry.....but you get my drift.......we wander off.