What I wish my sheep would recognize: 1. That I’ve shown up to reset the fences so new feed is provided. 2. That their health is dependent on some unfavorable medicine poured down their throat. 3. That they don’t need to be afraid of me, but still move in the direction I indicate. From the perspective of a shepherd, these things need to be done, but the sheep have their own interpretation.
In my personal walk with Jesus, there’s quite a bit to consider, but then I recognize a keyword, “Follow me,” That’s when I pay attention to both scriptures and what the Holy Spirit drops into my mind. Discernment is God’s gift to me, and I can reject anxiety about getting it right. I choose to open my eyes, ears, and my whole being to consider what Jesus is saying, guided by other believers, but taking it back to the Lord. There are clearly a lot of interpretations, but we have only ONE viewpoint that matters: Jesus. So, I pay attention to what He says in all scripture and ask God for wisdom/discernment. And I lay down my rights to know everything. He’s my shepherd, so he’s both feeding me and making sure I understand the essentials.
