Savior like a shepherd lead me...

Sheep... they are not too smart, and they are not exactly the cleanest of animals. No... Sheep are not really valued for much. They don't wake us at the crack of dawn like a rooster would, nor do they know how to hunt for their own food. Most often they are scared by running water and need a shepherd to lead them to still waters. I have heard though that sheep fear running water because they have spindly legs that are OK for walking but would be swept out from under them in the rushing waters they might encounter and try to cross. This would be devastating to be swept away and clearly be unable to swim and most frightening of the experience would be the knowledge that they would be unable to breath in water of any depth because the thick wool coat they typically grow would drag them down and keep them from being buoyant.

So, why would I want to be a sheep?

Christ took the most meek and lowly of animals and compared us to being the same. He sees us as unable to ford rivers that we come upon, or having enough understanding that as a sheep we have no ability to find the necessary security we need without the help of the shepherd. David was a shepherd in the wilderness of Israel. He proved himself capable of being a caring and creative caretaker before he became a warrior when he fought Goliath by caring for his flock in the day and night. Without David at their side the sheep ran the tragedy of being unable to find the sweet grass they needed or the water to quench their thirst on a sun filled day. So, if Christ says I am his sheep, and He is my Shepherd, then He is who I should look to for the food that sits on my table every day, the healing that is a balm to my soul when he anoints my head with oil to keep me from getting sores on my snout, and cool water that is still in the heat of the day. He should be the one who I pray to when I am fearful of the rapids that seem to be all around me, and the predators that surround me at night. He is the one in which my undivided attention must be focused on so that all around me the cares of this world would grow faint, and the light of His love would beckon me forward, onward, and home in the midst of times which seem so distant, impossible, or discouraging.

Jesus, as a Shepherd lead me to a place where I will be found victorious and safe.