Something to Think about...

I'm in a Bible study on Wednesday mornings.  We are going through the book of John.  Last week we studied chapter 11 about the Good Shepherd and his sheep.  Some highlights:

-The Good Shepherd (Jesus) knows his sheep and he calls them by name. 

- The Good Shepherd protects his sheep and would lay down his life for his sheep.

-The Good Shepherd takes measures to heal his sheep when they are hurting. 

-The Good Shepherd leads his sheep.

I love that Jesus is my Good Shepherd.  He is the GOOD Shepherd, not the BAD Shepherd.  He is always working for my good, even if at the time it's not what I had in mind. 

I learned this today: oftentimes if there was one particular sheep that kept wandering off, the shepherd would intentionally break one of it's legs with the goal of taking away the sheep's self-sufficiency in order that the sheep would have to rely completely on it's shepherd.  This is why we often times see pictures of a shepherd carrying a sheep around his neck. 

Wow. 

Looking back on your life, can you now see a time when God "broke your leg" in order that you might rely completely on him? Chances are, he is going to keep doing it throughout the rest of your life, but remember that he is the GOOD Shepherd and is working to make you more like himself.  

Something to think about.