Conversations with God

Hello God, it's me, Mara:

You know, Lord, while casually going through some papers, this one popped up, so, just sharing a bit: Psalm 23: "He restoreth my soul." One just assumes that belonging to You, Lord, and being in Your care, we'd never become so disserted in soul as to need any sort of restoration, but, low and behold - such is not the case. When we start thinking that we have "arrived", that is when we're most susceptible to become cast (the verb form), like a sheep.

"Cast down" is an old English shepherd's term for a sheep that had turned over on its back and cannot get up again by herself. It's a pathetic sight – lying there on her back, feet flaying in the air, frantically struggling to stand up but without success. If the owner does not arrive on the scene within a short time, that poor sheep will die. A "cast" sheep is helpless, close to death and vulnerable to attack. So, it is with us.

The shepherd runs to rescue the 'cast' ewe, the shepherd tenderly turns her over, picks her up, rubs her limbs to restore circulation to her legs. Soon she has gained enough steadiness that she's up and about and dashed away to rejoin the others; she has been set free from fears and frustration.

So, like sheep are we. Though we belong to You, dear Lord, and we really do desire to be under Your control and leadership, occasionally we also find ourselves cast down. Lord, help us avoid situations that roll us over. We need toughness to face life and formidable/challenging reverses; that comes only through the discipling of endurance and hardships. It's part of the price we pay to belong to YOU, but oh, the pleasure of being set free from ourselves. Thank YOU for being our shepherd and help us do a greater job in life and be the best sheep!

Love Mara