Isaiah 40:11 "He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young."
As a child I was intrigued by those pictures of Jesus carrying fluffy white, cuddly lambs on His shoulders. Today, I reject this picture because I believe it is misleading. Surely, God IS the Good Shepherd searching for His lost sheep, But, here is what I see wrong with that picture: First, a lamb will never stray from its momma! Those sheep who do stray are (like I once was) unruly, unmanageable, disorderly, undisciplined, rebellious, turbulent in nature, stubborn, boisterous (shall I go on?). It is this kind of creature God goes after, leaving the good, well-behaved ninety-nine sheep alone! And when God finds this "lost sheep" He carries it on His shoulders and calls His friends to celebrate.
Jesus told this story in a variety of forms throughout the New Testament. Jesus comes to save the "sinner" not the "perfect" ones.
Is it not a huge relief to recognize that we do not need to prove ourselves to our God? This is the point of this story. This is what Jesus came to tell us "You exist because God loves you already and always will"!
Are you one of God's sheep who have not gone astray? Or One who did stray and was rescued by Him!
Thanks be to God!
Lori Koonce, CLM
All Saint's Sunday will be celebrated in worship services on November 5. This year we will honor and remember all those in our congregation whom we have lost since All Saint's Sunday last year but this year, we want to expand that circle of witnesses. Members of the congregation will be encouraged to light a candle in memory of anyone special to them who has joined the great cloud of witnesses this past year. Please consider whose name you would like to raise up and plan to be a part of this very special service.
November 1st begins Twice Blessed toilet paper collection for VCAM. Bring one roll or a bunch to Twice Blessed. All is appreciated.
