The Good Shepherd

You may be familiar with Moses, whose story we encounter in the book of Exodus. Some of the most well-known stories from the Bible are about Moses: the hidden Hebrew baby pulled from the river by a princess; the boy raised in the Egyptian royal family and confronted with his Israelite heritage; the man leading the freed Israelite slaves through the parted Red Sea.

What we often don't remember is Moses spent forty years of his mid-life as a shepherd working for his father-in-law. As a young man he had grown angry at an Egyptian task master for treating the Israelite slaves cruelly, and he killed him in a confrontation. Moses fled the royal household of Pharaoh and took up shepherding practically overnight in the wilderness of Midian. Forty years later he found himself in front of a miraculous burning bush and the voice of God speaking to him.

One day while Moses was tending the sheep, something strange caught his eye — a bush was on fire, but it wasn't burning up. As he got closer, God called to him from the bush and said: “Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10).

At first, Moses didn't think he could do it. He told God he wasn't a good speaker, that people wouldn't believe him, and that he wasn't the right person. But God saw something in Moses that Moses didn't see in himself. The same man who once guided sheep through rocky hills would soon guide God's people through the wilderness. God took an ordinary shepherd and turned him into an extraordinary leader.

God is with us wherever we go. His presence will sustain and equip us for the things He calls us to do.

Reflecting on our own sheep journey helps us view our children with more compassion as we shepherd/parent them. We must be willing to receive guidance from our Good Shepherd in order to teach our children how to distinguish His voice.

Psalm 23 describes beautifully what it's like to receive the care of the Good Shepherd. Ultimately this care is true because John 10:11 is true. He laid down His life for us. On days when we feel overlooked, overwhelmed, or unloved, the Good Shepherd's proven love sustains us.

The next time your student feels overlooked, overwhelmed, or unloved, comfort them in all the ways they know you will. Then consider turning together toward the Good Shepherd, who gives them everything they need. Consider memorizing Psalm 23 together.