Herd
There were about 14 of them. Jennifer (my daughter) and Mel were headed out of the neighborhood gate and there, they saw them, atop the golf course nearby. She called immediately to spread the word knowing what a wildlife junkie I am. And in a flash my grandson Blake, who by the way was wearing shorts, and I gathered our ski poles and were off for a snowy night adventure wearing headlights.
It was a herd of elk, huge and magnificent and moving slowly looking for a place to hunker down for the night. The evening was blurry because of the snow coming down but it was evident that they were carefully proceeding with caution as they watched us.
When we went right, they turned to go left and when we went left they turned to go right. It was a herd mentality and clearly, the largest was the leader who declared the direction that the herd would turn.
It made me wonder how we, as humans are often directed/motivated by herd mentality instead of stepping out and thinking critically. Who do we choose to be our leader and what is our motivation to adhere/trust the direction that we are prone to follow?
I came across a quote that said: “Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity towards those who are not regarded as members of the herd. – Bertrand Russell
I watched as those elk moved collectively, and thought they must feel safe in their numbers. Don’t we often have the same feelings? We conform and allow the worldly noise to dictate and override the joy and peace that has been gifted to us through knowing the power and the oversight of Christ. We sometimes just follow the herd and are content to be apart of it, without making the effort to utilize our personal investment of thought, deed and gifts that God has equipped us with.
We too must be cautious when we join what we believe to be a like-minded group; being conscious of what we know to be right from wrong and truth versus falsities. When our herd instinct is based on our individual knowledge of truth, and belief that God our Father is our leader; one who knows the path and protects us and guides us through the perils of worldly trials, we are confident in our choice to follow him anywhere. We, as Christians, follow Christ not out of fear but out of love. It is our choice that we have been invited to make; to not be just be a follower but a herd contributor showing love for/to one another.
Though our Christian herd is one of trust, love, support and comfort, we are continually called by God to step out and pass those very feelings and knowledge of who and why we worship God through his son Jesus. For he is the one who has laid down his life for each of us.
The sight of those magnificent animals was a burst of joy for all of us who got to see them first hand. But they were merely a touch of nature and a reminder of God’s unexpected blessings. We are called to fellowship with others who are like minded creatures of God’s herd, but we too are called to have the courage and willful desire to step out of our comfort groups and reach out to those who need help, who are stumbling, and who God has put in our paths.
We are to become not just part of the herd but God’s chosen leaders within the herd to reach out and step out and testify to His glory, good works, and the blessings that come from knowing him. Christ is our heavenly leader who shows us where we can hunker down when the going gets tough. It is through his grace and mercy that he will guide us and protect us through his love so that we will not be daunted by worldly fear.
Though our safety and strength is often in numbers, it is our individual faith in God that moves our hearts to proclaim His glory wherever our Journey moves us to be. Praise God for his incredible gift of love, sacrifice, power and continued oversight. God is our creator and his sovereignty rules over all the earth. What a blessing it was to get to witness the nature that he presented for our joy! May you too be on the lookout for opportunities to witness/embrace God's unexpected joys and pass them on.
he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish.
Note: There is a picture above of the herd!
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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