Once when I was doing a study of the 23rd Psalm, I read a book about shepherds. In it I learned a lot about the special relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. A shepherd is a manager and a caretaker. He is the owner of his sheep…and he loves them.
Earmarked
One thing I learned is that a shepherd marks his sheep with an instrument called a “killing knife.” Now, it may not sound very loving, but understand that sheep do not instinctively take care of themselves. It may hurt them, but the shepherd knows the temporary pain is ultimately good for the sheep. So he makes a distinct mark in their ear that identifies them as his own and cares for them almost like his own children.
As Christians we are “marked” by the Holy Spirit. In much the same way, many of the trials and tests we go through can be quite painful while He subdues the parts of our nature that are not like God. However, the Holy Spirit knows that what He is doing in us is for our good and is bringing us to greater spiritual maturity. The question is, which do you think is worse: the pain of change or the pain of staying the same?
In John 10:11(AMP), Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.” There is so much we can learn about our relationship with Christ from the lesson about the shepherd and his sheep.
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SOURCE: The Christian Post
Joyce Meyer
BCNN1 WP 