He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3
All paths lead somewhere. A good shepherd desires the best for his sheep and intentionally leads them on paths that reach the finest fields. Before sunrise each day he plans a route for the safe grazing, watering, and resting of his sheep.
Careful attention must be given to sheep. A good shepherd constantly moves his sheep to fresh fields and monitors their nourishment. If left alone, sheep will stay in one place and destroy the resources. If they stall in the wetlands the sheep will pull all the tender grass up by the roots and purge the field of future nourishment. If left too long in the dry grass, sheep can become dehydrated and end up cutting their lips on the brittle brush.
If the shepherd is diligent with his care, the sheep will flourish and reproduce. The shepherd’s reputation is based on the outcome of his service. His name will be praised or cursed based on the condition of his sheep.
God, our Great Shepherd, is known for His constant attention too. His plan for us is virtuous and honorable. The paths He leads us on are always headed toward righteousness. He leads us intentionally and desires our healthy development and reproduction. Some of the paths we journey with our Shepherd will be difficult, and some passages narrow, but He leads us all the way.
We constantly think in terms of our present happiness and comfort, but the Great Shepherd is concerned with the end result. I’m convinced that when we arrive at His intended destination, the journey we braved and the problems we encountered on the path will fade in comparison to the contentment we find.
The Shepherd is willing to lead you on the path of life today. Are you willing to follow? What will your next step be?
Blessings,
