At that moment, I realized that this journey had been one of looking at the life of only one little lamb. A beginning that was difficult and lonely. The little lamb had been beaten, abandoned, left vulnerable and unprotected by a cruel world. She had given up and believed the lies that she was pathetic, useless, worthless, and of little value. But then her Savior came. He was kind, thoughtful, and merciful. Though she knew she didn’t deserve it, He rescued her and took her in as one of His own. She grew stronger as the days went on. She enjoyed the company of the other sheep. And she rejoiced and gave thanks at what a wonderful, providing, and protecting Shepherd she had. She knew He loved her because He was so faithful to her and took good care of her. But one day, she became a bit too careless and didn’t listen to her Master. She stumbled, fell down and became wounded on the way. At first she tried to ignore the wounds and stand up by herself. She managed to creep about for a little while. But she couldn’t quite get out of the pit. And as the time went on, the pain from her leg worsened. She began to feel desperate. It had been a long time since she felt this way. Not since those days as a pathetic lamb along the rocky cliffs where she thought death would overcome her.
She began to weep and shake again. “Am I right back to that pathetic state I was in so many years ago…helpless, scared, weak, vulnerable, abandoned, and unloved.” But then she felt the warm, yet strong embrace of her Master lift her up. He carried her close to His heart. She suddenly remembered her new name: “always near my heart.” She felt a love she had never experienced before. He was the same Shepherd, but her eyes were opened to a new understanding of His love. He signaled her out. He took the time to care for her. He wept over her pain. He passionately embraced her and comforted her. She felt so honored. There were other sheep around, but His attention and adoration fell upon her. For the first time in her life she truly understood the words she had once heard Him tell all the sheep one afternoon: “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you.” She felt humbled…utterly dependent…broken… loved and honored.
-Can you relate to the story of this little lamb?
-In your current season of life, what part of her journey is most relatable?
-What do you think Jesus is speaking over you; what is He trying to share with you through this story?
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you.” Isaiah 43:4
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