A friend has a small flock of sheep, and tells me that they are not smart animals. In fact, he reports that he could fill a trough with food for them in the front yard, allow them to eat a few minutes, walk them some 100 yards away to his back lawn, and they’d be unable to figure out how to return to the feeding site. Their inability isn’t stupidity - they just don’t have an innate intelligence to function at a high level. I believe the Scriptures refer to people as sheep on numerous occasions for a reason.

Our human tendencies draw us toward earthly appetites - not spiritual fulfillment, and because of this, we’re often unable (or unwilling) to return to what we know is good and right - even though we should be capable of returning to our source - our strength - our shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd - he cares for us & wants to keep us safely in his fold. Christians are supposed to pattern our lives after Jesus.

What an honor it should be then, to follow God’s intent in today’s scripture and act as caring shepherds in search of His flock.