That’s what you want, right?

I can follow a shepherd. It seems a lot of people can follow a leader. Or two. Or three. So many voices.

The trouble is, there are a lot of flocks out there.

And they are not friendly with each other.

Some of these “shepherds” keep changing the rules. A good sheep will keep following, even if the shepherd makes a few mistakes.

Or a lot of mistakes.

I can see this cartoon in my mind: a group of people gathered around a leader, hanging on every word.

Another voice calls from the side, “Here’s what we need to do.”

The whole group pitter patters over to the next guy. In perfect unison.

Back and forth.

Over and over.

So many voices.

So many shepherds to choose from.

I’m just not that interested in being a follower of someone who really doesn’t recognize truth. Someone who makes up stuff as he goes along.

Here’s the thing. I already have a Shepherd, and He doesn’t make mistakes.

Now, I do.

Quite often, actually!

I can actually find myself wandering away from His flock. Not on purpose.

Just because I get distracted with the many, many arguments flying all around.

We have to choose sides, don’t we?

So, in my wandering away, my shepherd grabs his rod and his staff and comes looking for me, to bring me back to the place of safety, peace, nourishment, and purpose.

I am reminded of the reason I belong to this flock.

The Shepherd found me.

He invited me to join Him.

He gave me something I couldn’t lose, a Life that lasts forever.

The ability to see His plan,

to hear His voice,

to see the darkness,

to choose the light.

Those in the darkness hate those in the light.

I love my Shepherd with everything that is in me, and, because of that love toward Him, I am learning to love those around me with the kind of love He offered to me.

The kind of love that wants the best, even if they can’t see it.

He says to me, “Love me, then treat everyone as you want to be treated.

EVERYONE!”

I don’t need someone to tell me how privileged I am, how certain skin tones need to be elevated above others, how I should fear every virus, how I should isolate myself, mask myself, seek revenge, despise those that disagree with me, do all these things that directly oppose those things my Shepherd has been telling me all along.

Things like:

Do not fear,

Trust me with all your heart,

Love your neighbor as yourself,

I will give you a life that lasts forever,

I know the plans I have for you,

Do not confirm to the ways of darkness.

“But, wait,” you say. “This shepherd you follow…he died a long time ago, right? Don’t you think you should follow someone a little more real?”

There is no one more real!

He walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I belong to him.

You can, too.

But you have to let Him fix you first so you can see Him,

hear Him,

see the darkness…

And choose the light.