He makes me lie down in green pastures…
Reflective Thought
Sheep need rest. They’re not made for nonstop motion. Interestingly, the shepherd “makes” his sheep lie down. Why would sheep resist rest? As it turns out, there are several factors that affect a sheep’s ability to rest: anxiety, adversity, affliction, and hunger.
- Anxiety.
Sheep are, by nature, fearful creatures. They frighten easily, oftentimes over no actual threat. - Adversity.
Like many species, sheep function within a dominance hierarchy, resulting in competitiveness, conflict, and threatening behavior amongst the herd. - Afflictions.
Flies and parasites can irritate and create stress for sheep. - Hunger.
Sheep need good food to satiate and settle them.
As we consider the above factors, it’s easy to see how we’re not so different from our fluffy friends. Anxiety permeates our daily existence. We experience relational adversity: anger, conflict, jealousy, strife, unforgiveness, and envy being a few examples. And while flies and parasites aren’t “bugging” us, we don’t lack for unannounced, unexpected crises of all kinds. As for hunger, most of us, fortunately, don’t lack physical food. But we do experience the gnawing hunger of discontentment, unfulfilled desires, and comparison.
And while our coping strategies are different, the end results are the same: chronic fatigue and the inability to be fully present.
And like the Good Shepherd he is, God invites us to rest in his good green pasture, feasting upon his promises, and ruminating on his nature and character.
Questions to Ponder
What’s keeping you from really resting with God?
What would it look like for you to rest with him?
Prayer
Good Shepherd, I want to rest in your green pastures. Remind me that you’re always diligently working to ensure I can safely rest in your care.
