My Shepherd

Look at me.

I am but a little sheep.

Weak. Defenseless. Powerless.

Do you see these hoofs?

They are incapable of doing anything of value.

Do you see these legs?

They are completely unable to follow after the Shepherd.

Do you see this mouth?

It is only capable of a pathetic bleat.

Do you see these eyes?

They are so prone to wander and to dart about in fear.

Now forget about me.

Look at my Shepherd.

Strong. Powerful. Beautiful.

Do you see His hands?

They are quick to defend, mighty to work,

And the nail scars speak of resounding victory.

Do you see His legs?

They can go anywhere; climb any mountain standing in the way.

Do you see His mouth?

His very Word is power.

Do you see His eyes?

See how they look with love on my weakness.

Too great a love to allow me to remain that way.

Yes, look at my Shepherd.

Don't dwell on your inability; cling to His ability.

He has given all you need to follow Him.

To love Him, and to love others as He has loved you.

Look to Him and love Him on days of sunshine.

Hide under His shadow and be saved from any foe.

Move forward in His strength against the wolves.

Look at my Shepherd, and lose yourself in Him.

An Ellerslie Summary

How in the world do I begin to summarize nine of the most spiritually intense weeks I've ever experienced? It's not going to be easy, but I pray that God will give me the words.

I saw such a beautiful picture of what the true Christian life is supposed to be. I saw that God's commands are to be obeyed truly, not just given a nod of affirmation and then disregarded. I saw that His promises are rock solid truth, not just comforting poetry. I saw even more clearly the weight of what He did for me, and what my response must be: complete, unconditional surrender. So much powerful truth, but at the heart of it all there is one thing.

Jesus. All that I've learned only has worth if it is the outflow of a relationship with Him. This life can only be lived victoriously by total dependance on His enabling grace. In Him we have the strength to love, forgive, overcome the enemy, pray with power, find perfect peace and joy, die to self, follow Him, and so much more, but that's the key- through Him! He is all that matters! We have the breathtakingly wonderful and sobering privilege if representing Him on this earth. We can't esteem His pattern and seek to imitate it; we can only come to Him and allow Him to live His life through us. It's all by His grace, and all for His glory!

There is more I could say, but that's the heart of it. God did so much in my life over those nine weeks, and this is only the beginning. My hearts desire is to know Him more and to make Him known. I don't know the next step, but I know the One who goes with me! May He receive all the glory!