Quietly Following the Shepherd, One Step At a Time

Blue is getting older. He’s not quite as rambunctious or hard-headed, and rarely needs a leash as we trek up our mountain road. He stays close to me.

Quite often Blue will pick up a scent and stop to investigate on the edge of our road, nose scrunching rapidly up and down.

I’ll continue to walk on ahead.

Then I’ll stop, turn, pat my leg, and say, “Come, on, Blue. Let’s go.”

And with his arthritic hobble, he’ll begin walking again, following close to my heel, trusting me to lead him home.

Blue teaches me a lot about the ways of Jesus.

As he followed me closely this morning, I thought about a quote that touched my heart:

“This is the blessed life — not anxious to see far down the road nor overly concerned about the next day, not eager to choose the path nor weighted down with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following the Shepherd, one step at a time.” ~ Streams in the Desert by L.E.Cowen, p. 32

” … quietly following the Shepherd, one step at a time.”

Can you see that image? Jesus, with his flowing white robe, rugged staff in hand, walking before us, leading the way. Occasionally He speaks to our distraction, and softly calls our name as He waits for us to catch up.

There’s not a lot of hoopla in this thing called walking by faith. Not really. Oh, there are some exciting moments when the Lord leads us to a place or a person, a piece of the puzzle we’re always trying to put together.

But the walk? The walk of FAITH is wrapped in a blanket of trust, quiet surrender to His leadership.

Steps in synch.

Knowing that our Helper is at hand, our Protector, our Provider, our Shepherd, our Lord.

There’s no need to fear. There’s no need to overthink our circumstances for He is the God who was and is and is to come!

He knows all things. He is for us, not against us. And He is in charge.

He goes before us.

No, there’s no need to fear.

We are not alone.

Selah