Psalm 23 is one that has been floating around in my mind of late.
To be honest, I didn’t even need to look it up in my Bible. The words are ones that I know off by heart.
In my working life, I have conducted more funerals than you can imagine (unless, dear reader, you are an undertaker) and have said or sung the words frequently. They are familiar. They are comforting. Despite our 21st century industrialised world view, they are still relatable.
The Lord is my shepherd.
Hang on a minute.
If the Lord is my shepherd, that makes me a sheep. I am not sure I like the idea of being a sheep.
I had one of those weird management training course moments as I tried to think, if I were an animal, what sort of animal would I be?
I decided that I would want to be one that was majestic, powerful, strong, one that had a bit of nobility about it and one with a bit of attitude. To be honest, a sheep was not on my list.
Sheep are pretty pathetic creatures.
If attacked, they have no way to defend themselves. How often have you heard of someone being mauled by a sheep?
Sheep can get really messy and, when they are in that state, they are unable to clean themselves. A cat or dog can lick themselves clean a sheep, cannot be bothered.
Sheep are not the cleverest of animals I they are pretty much untrainable, I have never heard of a sheep trainer. Sheep are unable to carry out any useful form of work. For example, the police never use them to track down criminals.
All in all, sheep are pathetic creatures.
If the Lord is my shepherd, then that makes me a sheep.
But, that is pretty much the point.
Being a sheep is not an insult, it’s a relief because, it means that the responsibility for my direction, provision, and ultimate safety rests with someone more capable than me. As a sheep is totally dependent on the shepherd, I am totally dependent on the Good Shepherd.
As I looked over and over those familiar words, I saw within them more than just a comforting ancient poem. I saw an invitation to trust in the Good Shepherd whether I find myself in green pastures or dark valleys. Somehow, through it all, I will know of his Goodness and Mercy with me. For a slightly wayward sheep, like me, that’s not just comforting—it’s everything.