Cows and Sheep

I remember as a boy staying at my grandfather’s farm. Each afternoon we made the walk down to the pasture to bring the cows up to the barn for milking (sometimes they would be in the back pasture and it had to be nearly a mile walk or more). Once the first of the cows started the walk toward the barn the others quickly followed; left out of the gate, up the road and into the barn each cow made its way to its own stall to be milked and more importantly to the cow fed too. I was always amazed how they knew exactly where to go.

From what I understand sheep are different from cows. Once we got the cows started toward the barn they would just go and we followed them back (watch where you step). Sheep on the other hand must be led by the shepherd; you can’t herd sheep like you can cattle.

Through out the bible God’s people are often referred to as sheep. People resist being forced to do anything; instead of being ‘herded’ and pushed to do something, people respond better to being led. We like to follow.

• [6] "My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place. [7] Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, 'We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their true pasture, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.'
  Jeremiah 50:6-7 (NIV)

God’s people did not just wander way from what God had prepared for them. They were led astray by their shepherds. Kings, priests and false prophets took paths God had forbidden and many people just followed them.

As a pastor I take these verses very personally. What I say and how I live my life is not just a personal matter but affects those God has called me to lead. But it is not just the people who attend the church; my influence is even greater for my family. As a father the choices I make have a more immediate and dramatic effect on my kids.

How about you? You may not be a pastor, but who do you lead or have influence over? God will hold us accountable for how we lead. Let’s be a good example and not just leave others to wander aimlessly and lose their way home.