“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11
When my daughters were pre-teen we went horseback riding near Lincoln, NE and when we left the stable and headed out along a long lane and into the pine trees the horses had a slow, easy and steady gait; sort of like a going to work gait. When we had gone as far as we could and turned the horses around to return to the stable they began to trot as they were excited to be heading home; no saddle, bridle and feedbag. It is interesting to look at these two girls as they walk home near Dondon. You will see children in Haiti walking to school in the morning with a purposeful stride as they are eager to learn and also receive their real meal of the day and now, they are again walking with a purpose in the early afternoon, going home to do their homework in the remaining daylight. May our journey to Church tomorrow also be purposeful on the way there and on the way back home. May our minds and actions be ever driven to bring other ‘sheep’ into the pen of our Good Shepherd; here in the U.S., in Haiti and throughout this world. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘Savior, Who Thy Flock art Feeding’ that were written by William A. Muehlenberg in 1826.
“Savior, who Thy flock art feeding with the Shepherd's kindest care, all the feeble gently leading, while the lambs Thy bosom share; now, these little ones receiving, fold them in Thy gracious arm. There, we know, Thy Word believing, only there, secure from harm. Never, from Thy pasture roving, let them be the Lion's prey; let Thy tenderness, so loving, keep them thro' life's dangerous way. Then within Thy fold eternal let them find a resting-place,
feed in pastures ever vernal, drink the rivers of Thy grace.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay