From time to time I look for new recipes for my husband and I. I try to make good meals, and sometimes I like to change things up a bit. Sometimes it’s hard because I get in the habit of making certain meals over and over mostly because I’m in a hurry and want something I can fix quick. But it’s good for us to change meals for a broader, more balanced diet. This is why I purposefully change my meal plan.
Some habits are not only good… some habits are essential such as eating, reading the Bible, exercising, sleeping, and praying. However, there are some habits that need to change from time to time.
Good habits need to be changed up from time to time… this can make the habits even stronger.
Sheep are creatures of habit. If left to themselves, they will walk the same path and graze the same land until it is desolate and grads will grow these again. A Shepherd must keep a careful watch on the sheep and the land so that both are kept healthy. When the land is no longer providing enough for the sheep and the land itself cannot handle any more grazing then the sheep must move on to another area to graze. This new path is best for them and the land.
It is very interesting how the Lord has chosen sheep in Psalm 23 as a parallel to us as His children. Sheep are so set in their ways, that unless they are led on to new paths, they will ruin the land. We as God’s children are often very stiff-necked and stubborn people desirous of staying right where we are spiritually. It a vital as God Children to follow the good shepherd wherever He may lead.
To understand the need to follow the good Shepherd we must understand:
- Who We Are
A 5-year-old thinks he knows best when insisting they need candy or cookies right before dinner. A teenager thinks they know best when insisting on driving their friends to school or a party or wanting to stay out until 3 AM. A young adult thinks they know best when insisting on speeding through a snowstorm to get to work on time. We insist we know what’s best for us even though there are disastrous results may be self-evident.
When we think we know what’s best for us and the Good Shepherd is leading us we need to willingly follow.
- Who He Is
Jesus the Good Shepherd comes gently and says 7 things in the gospel of John to tells us who He is;
1. The Bread Of Life
“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty“ – John 6:35.
2. The Light Of The World
“Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life“ – John 8:12.
3. The Door
“I am the door; by me if anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go on and go out, and will find pasture” -John 10 9.
4. The Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own” – John 10:11,14.
5. The Resurrection and The Life
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?“ -John 11:25-26.
6. The Way, The Truth, The Life
“I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father, but by me“ – John 14:6.
7. The True Vine
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” – John 15: 1-2.
When a child is at a party or other fun event and their parents want to leave the child throws a temper tantrum. It reveals their selfishness and refusal “to come” when asked.
The difficult point is that many people don’t want to come. In other words, many don’t want to follow. Many do not want to be led in the paths of righteousness, because they think their way is better.
We don’t want to:
- Tithe…we think our financial plan is better.
- Get baptized…we think we are too old or it is not necessary.
- Speak truth…we think deception is better than truth
- Submit our will to God…we think it’s depressing to not have our own will embraced.
- Listen…we already have all the answers; no one can tell me what to do…I already know everything there is to know.
- Be approved by God…in truth, we want to be approved by mankind more than we want to be approved by God.
Most of us know the examples are biblical commands or truths taught in scripture. It is our selfishness and pride and reveals our refusal to come to Jesus.
- What We Must Do
When I go on vacation and can’t take my dog. I get someone to take care of her. I explain her food and medicine schedule. And to take her for short walks (she is 15 years old). and to give her extra love. I pay $25 a day for someone to do this.
Jesus never made light of the cost involved in following Him. In fact, He made it painfully clear that it was a rugged life of rigid self-denial (Luke 9:23).
Here are a few ways to follow the shepherd
1. Love God. Instead of loving myself most, I am willing to live Jesus best and others more than myself (Matthew 22:37-39).
2. God focused. Fearing or respecting God above all others. Instead of following the crowd, I am willing to be singled out set apart from thr gang (Proverbs 8:13; Ecclesiastes 12:13).
3. Others Minded. Instead of insisting on my rights, I am willing to forego them in favor of others. (Philippians 2:3).
4 Servants heart. Instead of being the boss, I am willing to be at the bottom and help others when I can ( Mark 10:45).
5. Thankful. Instead of finding fault with life and always asking “Why,” I am willing to accept the circumstances of life with an attitude of gratitude (Psalm 107:1).
When we grumble about the circumstances in life and then pray. We have to remember God hears us. He hears everything we say. We have to ask ourselves if God is pleased with our complaining.
God calls us to be led by Him in the paths of righteousness. I ask myself often am I following Him, or am I dragging my heels or complaining. Am I following Him with expectation and anticipation?
Who am I, who is God, do I follow God’s path, new habits.
From Pity to Praise 