The Smell of Sheep

Posted on by
Reply

I don’t know about you, but smell is one of my strongest senses.

I love the smell of coffee shops, carnations, freshly mowed grass, good perfume (no musk, please—I’m allergic), freshly baked cinnamon rolls, Christmas cookies, vanilla, and Ray’s cologne.

What I don’t enjoy are farm animal smells, skunks, cigars, waste, spoilage, sickness, or death. Yes, death has a smell.

Over the years, God has gently reminded me that relationships are often more important than comfort. Sometimes He places us in situations where we have to look beyond what we find unpleasant and focus instead on the people He loves.

That brings me to sheep.

Like it or not, sheep smell.

Our Great Shepherd knows that. Yet He still chooses to walk among us and call us His own.

John 21:15-17 tells us that after His resurrection, Jesus gave Peter a simple but profound command: “Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Feed My Sheep.”

First, he was to feed the lambs.

Lambs are young and dependent. They cannot survive without care and nourishment. In the same way, new believers need loving Christians who will come alongside them, teach them God’s Word and how to apply it in their lives, answer their questions, and encourage them to become more like Jesus.

Next, Jesus told Peter to tend His sheep.

Adult sheep require a different kind of care. Sheep are known for wandering, and so are we. Left to ourselves, we can easily drift from God’s best for our lives. Throughout my journey, God has placed faithful shepherds around me—friends, family members, pastors, teachers, and mentors. They have lovingly corrected me, challenged me, and occasionally used their shepherd’s staff to pull this stubborn sheep back from the edge.

Then Jesus said, “Feed My sheep.”

Adult sheep no longer need milk, but they still require steady nourishment to remain healthy and strong. The same is true spiritually. We need a regular diet of prayer, Scripture, worship, fellowship, and encouragement from other believers. These are the things God uses to sustain us and help us grow.

As I think about sheep, I’m reminded of something important. The shepherd knows His sheep. He knows where we’ve wandered. He knows our weaknesses. He knows our stubbornness. And yes, He knows we smell like sheep.

Yet, He still calls us His own. The Gentle Shepherd does not turn away from us because of our flaws. He is always near, He cares for us, and through it all He faithfully leads us home.

All we need to do is follow.

Gentle Shepherd, come and feed us. Give us the wisdom to learn from those You have placed in our lives and the humility to accept their guidance. Lead us in the paths You have prepared for us. May our lives bring honor and glory to You in all we say and do. In the precious name of Jesus, our Shepherd, make it so.

I first wrote this post on October 26, 2011. Today I’ve revisited it and made a few updates.

The Red Slide

Posted on by
Reply

Watching children play is a reminder of the freedom that comes from simply being who they are.

A while back, we took our four-year-old God-niece, Annabelle (AB), to McDonald’s Playland for supper. Like most children her age, she was far more interested in exploring the tunnels and slides than in eating her chicken nuggets. Still, she mostly stood watching instead of joining in. Then I remembered something she had said earlier in the car. Someone had warned her not to be afraid of the red slide.

Wanting to help her feel more comfortable, I asked a nearby mom if I could introduce AB to her daughter and if she might help her navigate the play area. Introductions were made, and the two girls happily disappeared into the maze of tubes and tunnels together.

A little while later, AB came back looking concerned. She couldn’t find her new friend, who had apparently gone into one of the bubble windows. When AB finally found her, she discovered the little girl no longer wanted to play because AB wouldn’t go down the read slide.

Not long after that, AB met another little girl named Emma. As the two of them played, I noticed something important. AB still stayed on the green slide, carefully avoiding the red one altogether. But Emma didn’t seem to mind. She wasn’t worried about which slide AB chose. I wasn’t a big deal to her; she was simply happy to have a friend.

That small moment became a beautiful reminder of the love of Jesus. He does not wait for us to conquer every fear before He draws near to us. He, very simply, invites us to build a relationship with Him. He meets us where we are and loves us unconditionally, even while we are still learning to trust Him with our own “red slides”. Actually, His love is what encourages us to face them in the first place. Jesus loved us before we conquered our fears.

Abba Father, help me recognize the “red slides” in my life and trust You to help me through them. Give me the courage to follow where You lead, even when I am afraid. Thank You for loving me before my fears were conquered. Amen and yes!

This post is being shared with many other writers’ entries at Five Minute Friday.

I first wrote this post on October 7, 2011. Today I revisited and made a few updates.

More Ways Than Ever To Go And Tell

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve been spending some time exploring a few Christian blogs lately, and I have to say—it’s been a joy.

There are hundreds, even thousands, of believers openly sharing their faith, their stories, and what God is doing in their lives. And honestly? It’s encouraging.

We hear so many statistics claiming that the Christian faith is fading. But when I see people boldly writing, sharing, and testifying online, I don’t see a faith that’s dying—I see a faith that’s being lived out.

God has given us the ability to create and use technology, and I love seeing it used to spread His Word across the world. In many ways, this is a modern expression of what Paul said in Romans 1:16—we are not ashamed of the gospel.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:18–20 to go and make disciples. That command isn’t limited to standing behind a pulpit or writing a book. It includes every tool and opportunity we’ve been given.

Today, that includes blogs, posts, and digital spaces where truth can be shared and lives can be touched.

I’m grateful for those who faithfully write, share, and point others to Christ. Their obedience is making a difference.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the joy of reading and learning from so many faithful writers. Give us strength and courage to say what needs to be said in the days ahead. Let the Fruit of the Spirit grow and mature in us as we share You with the world around us. Give us integrity in what we write–that we would handle Your Word faithfully and teach it as You intend. We offer this prayer to You, our Mighty and Awesome God, in the precious name of Jesus– Make it so.

I first wrote this post on October 13, 2011. Today, I’ve revisited it and made a few updates.

The Call We Don’t Want To Answer

Posted on by
Reply

Where—or what—is your Nineveh?
Where is God calling you?
Are you deliberately saying no?
Is your allegiance tied to something—or someone—else?

Jonah was a true believer. Up to the moment God called him to go to Nineveh, he had followed faithfully—in his life, his work, and his actions. But this? This was too much.

Jonah was deeply loyal to his country. He was willing to do and say whatever God asked…as long as it aligned with his own thinking.

But God said, Go to Nineveh.

In Jonah’s mind, there were already others—like Amos and Hosea—doing God’s work. Why send him somewhere so far outside his comfort zone? Surely someone else could go.

And we know how the rest of Jonah’s story unfolds…But what about our story?

What is God asking of us that we’re resisting? Where are we saying, “Lord, surely someone else would be better for this”?

Here’s the truth: God will accomplish His purposes. The question is—will we be part of it?

Will we miss the blessing of obedience because the calling feels too big, too uncomfortable, or too far outside our plans?

Look at Proverbs 3:5–6. When we trust in the Lord and honor Him in all our ways, He directs our paths. He never calls us to something beyond His ability to sustain—but He does call us to know Him, trust Him, and follow through.

Abba, Father, Creator of all this is, was, and is to come, give me an all-consuming desire to know Your Word so well that in every situation I recognize the path You’ve set before me. Lord, give me the courage to walk the path You’ve laid before me, even when it feels uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or too great for me. Help me to trust You fully, to lay aside my own plans. Give me the courage to say YES—no matter where my Ninevah is. Hear my prayer in Jesus’ holy name.

This blog was first published on 9,21,2011 as Ninevah or Bust.