Why Worry? OR The Theology of Sheep

I am always amazed at the “sheepness” of the big horn sheep that live in the mountain property of the Navigators at Glen Eyrie in Colorado. Observing these beautiful animals, they do exactly what God intended them to do. They are sheep. They live in sheep rhythm. They graze. They walk. They stay together. They climb the mountain rocks in front of the castle and “perform” for the guests. They sleep. They mate. They take care of their young. They get old.

But, I don’t think they worry.

Why should they worry? They are the picture of living worry free simply being who God designed them to be and trusting their Shepherd to do what He is designed to do – shepherd.

In the sheep-shepherd metaphor in scripture Jesus refers to believers as sheep and Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10).

We we can learn a lot from these worry- free sheep:
•    The same invitation to live a worry free life like sheep do is on the table. Jesus told
    His followers not to worry or stress.(Matthew 6:25-33)
•    You can trust Him – He laid down his life for you. (John 10:11)
•    You don’t have to worry about your future -He gives you eternal life; you will never perish. (John 10:28)   
•    Relish and delight in the fact you are known by the Shepherd.(John 10: 14)
•    Know your Shepherd hears (John 10), listens and is sovereign over your life knowing what is the best for you even if it conflicts with what you think you need.
•    As He provides exactly what the sheep need, He will provide exactly what you need (Philippians 4:19)
•    The Good Shepherd leads you by quiet waters and restores your soul. (Psalm 23)
•    Your Shepherd is at the right hand of God interceding for you. (Romans 6:34-35)
•    Live who God designed you to be … just like the sheep. No one else can be you.

We have an ever-present Shepherd and we as Sheep were designed to be dependent on Him.

The difference between real sheep (birds, flowers) and believer sheep is that as humans we were created in the image of God. We were created with emotions, will, intellect and thirst. Because we have a will we have choice…Oh, yes, CHOICE.  We can choose to trust our Shepherd or we can choose to worry. Which will it be?

“ Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)