“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays iton his shoulders, rejoicing.” Luke 15:4-5

My Shepherd

Are you busily wandering around stomping out the fires of the urgent while neglecting the important? In our busyness, do we get lost in the chaos of our “overwhelmedness”?

I recently wrote a devotional about being lost in my own life. I know we experience that feeling, but those of us who know Jesus also know that being truly lost is not possible.

In that stormy turbulence caused by inside or outside influences, I need to stop, quiet my spirit and listen for the song of my Shepherd. The words from an old song call out that Jesus is standing somewhere in the shadows, and that He always cares and understands.

I know He is there, waiting patiently for me to look up from whatever it is that has captured my attention and assaulted my serenity. My Shepherd is longing for me to spend time with Him again so He can heal my tired, aching soul and body. Busyness can cause isolation, loneliness, and depression.

Do you feel lost, tired, assaulted by loneliness? Isolated even in a crowd? Have you taken a wrong turn? Remember the shepherd who left the 99 to go after the one? Having been a shepherd, King David had an excellent understanding of a shepherd’s heart. David said, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 43:5 NLT). When David was buried in a pit of depression and loneliness, he knew that he was not lost to God. David knew that anywhere that he would run to hide, God was already there (Psalm 139). Like David, You are never lost to God. He knows exactly where you are every moment. He’s the Fourth Man in your fiery furnace (Daniel 3:8-25) protecting you from the flames so you will not be burned, or even smell like smoke (Isaiah 43:2).

Look! Jesus is already there. He is the God who sees you. Our Shepherd can’t take His eyes off of you, because He is captivated by love for you. Be still and let your loving Shepherd lift you up on His shoulders and carry you.

“My Shepherd, when I am feeling tired and lost, I am confident that I am not lost to You, and if I stop, quiet my soul and listen, I will hear Your voice calling to me, letting Me know that You were there all the time. Thank You, Jesus.”