More Than Meets the Eye

I had to chuckle yesterday at the amusing scene I encountered during my morning walk. As I passed by a nearby farm, I noticed a farmer walking along the perimeter of his sheep pasture, stopping at intervals to inspect the wooden fence posts. In his gloved hands, he carried a bucket filled with tools and supplies for repairing any loose posts or gaps in the wire fencing.

But the funny part was the flock of sheep persistently trailing him! As he made his way slowly around the pasture, those woolly creatures walked right along behind him, from post to post. I couldn’t help but laugh as the farmer tried shooing the sheep away several times, only to have them return moments later to resume their woolly procession.

Clearly, the flock was hoping the man had some tasty treats in that bucket, not realising it held only fencing supplies. But whatever their motivation, they stuck to him like glue! All the while, the diligent farmer kept circling his field, dutifully checking boundaries and fortifying any weak spots despite the bothersome entourage.

Watching the scene, it struck me how much those stubborn sheep resemble us at times. They were so focused on their next nibble of grass that they were oblivious to the farmer's broader purpose and perspective. Just like those sheep, we often hound our Good Shepherd for immediate things that catch our eye, blind to the grand plan God sees. We’re thinking about our next moment while God is focused on our eternity.

As Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Our Shepherd sees our whole life story —past, present, and future—like a sweeping landscape. But in our impatience, we beg for today's snack, unaware of tomorrow's blessing hidden in God's wise design. When we don’t immediately get the things we want, we feel the Shepherd is holding back on us.  Little do we realise, He’s busy working to protect us, not to deprive us.

But here’s the fantastic part. Through it all, the Lord keeps diligently tending His flock. Pruning here. Planting seeds there. Inspecting boundaries. Restoring weakness. All to nourish our growth in due season. Our hounding and moaning don't deter Him from His faithful work.

Friends, let's gain perspective beyond fleeting cravings to glimpse the vista our eternal Shepherd sees. Though we may not understand His timing, we can trust His perfect plan. Just like that farmer, God sees the big picture. He knows the right season to answer our cries. Follow Him, for He cares for His beloved flock, providing everything we need to guide us safely home.