I saw this picture on Instagram, and it struck me.
Not only did it resonate because of our Biblical reference to lost sheep, (which, btw, are not the smartest animals) but the story that accompanied it was most powerful.
Here’s the summary:
The sheep was found after wandering for 6 years. He carried the extra weight of his wool from not having a shepherd care for him. Upon being reunited, it only took 20 minutes for the shepherd to sheer the extra weight he picked up in 6 years of not having a shepherd.
| My takeaway is this, sunshine: we are designed to be cared for. And of course, to live in community with one another. And when we wander solo, we accumulate excess weight. Consider your personal metaphorical “weight”: shame, pride, guilt, fear, anxiety, depression, debt, anger, unforgiveness, jealousy, or perhaps literally, body weight. What weight are you carrying that a shepherd could help you lose upon being found, sunshine? Are you plugged into a church? A small group? A group fitness class? Any place–like Cheers–where everybody knows your name? My prayer for you today is that you no longer carry excess weight and that you are reunited and free from a burden you were not meant to carry. “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” Is 40:11 NLT |
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P.S. We start All In for April tonight at 7:30pm EST. Registration closes today at 3pm. No more wandering, sunshine! Click below and be a part of the movement–literally–by joining our online community to commit our health into His Hands! All In for April |