I’m not sure why, but there is a competitive spirit in each of us that
wants to win, no matter the contest. And I am not sure that in winning I am not
really losing, or vice-versa. We were sitting and talking about things we wish
we hadn’t said, and been embarrassed about. I sat and laughed mostly to myself,
thinking I have done enough stupid things to fill a column, which can be related
to daily. But I sat quiet, and at the right time proceeded to talk. I was in
high school working for Sears in the warehouse. We would help out in customer
service when it got busy, and one afternoon we were swamped. It was more
accurately called customer pick-up, for this is where the customers would pick
up their larger purchases not found on the shelves. So when deciding which
story to tell, the ping pong table, the water heater on the conveyer belt, or
the Tard, I started to tell about that busy Saturday afternoon. Usually 5-6
people would be there waiting, today it was 20+ and backed out the door. We
would take their receipt, call it in and wait for the merchandise to arrive,
have them sign the log book as having received it and they would go with
whatever they bought. Sounds simple...but that day in the heat of battle one
man just stood there waiting his turn, and I was his luck of the draw. As I
wrote it out in the book, I said “here buddy, sign this,” and he replied “I
can’t.” “C’mon man, we’re busy, just sign here,” and again he said “I can’t.”
Losing patience, an innate trait among Jerseyans, I asked “ whattsa matter, you
blind?” To which he replied “yes.” I had neglected the white cane and dark
glasses in my hurrying, and felt horrible. So I did the honorable thing, and
walked out the side door, leaving him standing alone to deal with someone else.
Coming back some 15 minutes later he was gone, and so was the crowd, and we all
had a good laugh. And so did those I was telling the story to that day. When
someone made the comment, well at least he didn’t see your face, and laughed,
until someone said “but I bet he’ll know your voice.” Something I had never
considered before...I think I’ll call it Psalm 23 revisited.
Psalms tells us in various places that the sheep-us, know the shepherd’s
voice-Jesus. In real life, all sheep are herded together into one pen, and each
shepherd then calls out and only his sheep respond. And so it is, or can be, or
should be with us and our relationship with Jesus. He speaks to us in a voice
we can hear with more than our ears, and calms us, reassures us, and comforts
us as needed. Then we as sheep, who often go astray, can follow Him and be
restored and forgiven. But also like sheep, who are so stupid they make cows
look smart, sheep have no defense, aren’t smart enough to get in out of the
rain, are dirty, and always straying away and getting lost. Without a shepherd
they are prey to all aggressors, and in danger of dying. I guess Jesus pegged
us pretty good with that one. But He also pegged it pretty good when He is
described as our mighty fortress in times of trouble, mighty King, Lord of
Lords, and as we read in Revelation can and will destroy Satan just by speaking
the words, no great Hollywood type battle, His words are that strong, just as
He is. And as the great shepherd, just like any good shepherd, He goes ahead of
the herd, clearing a path, finding water and nourishment, and giving them safe
passage. He is the great shepherd as He does all these things for us, too, and
even knows our name, and our voice. And much unlike me at Sears that day, is
patient, kind, considerate, good, meek, and exhibits self control. All fruit of
the spirit, characteristics of God, that as Christians we can have as gifts when
we obey Jesus. Even works in New Jersey I hear, and if it can work there,
imagine what it can do in the real world. Or even yours!
As a forever wandering sheep, I am glad I don’t have to ever wonder about
my great shepherd, Jesus. There even when I can’t see Him, and always willing
to help and talk with me. In the age where we still want to do our own thing,
sheep are still miserable, but we don’t have to be. Make your thing Jesus, and
quit wandering away from the things of God. Hear His voice and follow and obey,
knowing that when He directs your path, you will make your destination, and when
you encounter trouble along the way, as we will, He is the mighty God, awesome
in power, to guide and protect. So, ask yourself this, if God is for us, who or
what can be against us? And remember whoever or whatever is, is also against
Jesus, and He never loses. So why would you choose to follow any other? If you
have, or do, you may not want to share about the stupid thing you did, that’s
pride, but use it as part of your testimony, for all of us like sheep have gone
astray. And it takes the great shepherd to get us back. His name is
Jesus...and He knows your voice. Isn’t it about time you get to know His?
Just another day in the day of a life....stupid hurts, Jesus heals. Now
the only question, what was that blind man going to do with his color TV?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com