I am privileged to live on an idyllic property with sheep. In my latter years I have learnt a great deal about these creatures. I have spent some time observing their behaviour, watching a mixture of breeds share the same space and sort out the hierarchy to ensure paddock harmony.
I have helped with their care and welfare. I have learnt how to care for sore feet, and scours. I have learnt to drench, give antibiotic injections, and treat for fly strike. I know the importance of providing shade and plenty of water on these hot summer days. I have learnt about pasture management, when the grass is good and when it is not, and how to supplement the feed when it is not. I have worked with lambs and had experience teaching orphan ones to bottle feed.
In short, I am a shepherdess!
One of my most rewarding experiences recently, was working with a wee mob of lambs. I entered their paddock each morning to give them hay, check their water and ensure they were all happy and healthy. This involved talking to them and patting them. They loved a rub along their sides and around their ears. At the next paddock visit, later in the day, they were given a treat feed, to boost their health and growth. I called to them as I entered the paddock, and they would come running to me. Again, I talked to them and patted and scratched their woolly heads. And again, in the evening, there was another “paddock check” to make sure all was well for the night ahead. I was building a relationship.
The benefit of this meant that when it was time to move this wee mob to another paddock to graze, I was able to call them, and they all would follow me. They knew me and they knew my voice. We had relationship.
In other parts of the world, sheep graze without fences….so the shepherds are required to be with them 24/7. The shepherds establish a relationship with the sheep, and when it is time to come down from the high country, or move to another grazing spot, the shepherd calls to the sheep and leads them.
Over the summer, I also looked after another older mob of mixed breeds. Although I was popping in and out of this paddock with feed and water, and walking among them for health checks, they were too wary of me and although I met their physical needs, I did not have the opportunity to establish a trust relationship. So, to move this mob onto new pasture meant walking behind them, encouraging them to “walk up”.
John 10 is a beautiful passage about sheep. We have a Shepherd who truly cares for our wellbeing, so much so that He would lay down his life for us to keep and protect us.
John 10:11 – I am the GOOD SHEPHERD. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
We are given EVERYTHING we need by the Good Shepherds provision of grace and mercy. He even gave His life; we mean that much to Him!
John 10: 14 – I am the Good Shepherd and I KNOW My sheep and am known by My own.
The relationship is established and is one of care and trust.
John 10: 3-4 – …the sheep hear His voice; and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know His voice.
So, the key is RELATIONSHIP. If the sheep have not got a relationship with the shepherd, they will scatter and be lost. If they have no relationship with the Shepherd, they will not recognise His voice when He calls, and they will not know to follow Him to better things (sweeter grass!)
I hope we all find time to spend with the Shepherd, to sit at His feet, to listen to His voice, to trust Him for our everything, and be prepared to follow Him when He calls.
Carole