Pause

The simple idea that God is there to guide us, that simple idea alone gives us comfort. We are not alone. We are not without direction.

God's guidance comes often when we are still and waiting. Listen for where love will take you today.

Listen

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.

John 10:16-18

Think

A shepherd doesn’t get hired just to watch one sheep. That would be a waste of the shepherd’s time and the sheep owner’s money. Wouldn’t it be silly to see ten individual shepherds in a field, all with just one sheep? Equally silly would be the thought that the sheep get to choose which other sheep are allowed to be in their flock, as if the sheep would pick captains and choose which sheep are allowed to join them grazing in the field and which are not.

It’s easy to make our faith individualistic, like, “It’s just me and God; God loves me and that’s what matters.” It’s true that God does love each of as individuals who are uniquely important. But it is also important for us to realize that as much as God loves us, God also loves everyone else. God’s love wraps around all people, not just the people we want to pick.

Susan Reed

Pray

God who loves enough for the whole world, thank you for not putting limits on your love. Because if you did, I might get left out. Help me to remember your love is for all, and help me to try to love like you do. Amen.

Go

Though you may feel that you have no way to go,
Love is there to lead you.
When the world seems dark and scary,
God is there to give you light.
In the midst of every trouble, every care,
Christ's arms surround and hold you.