The Good Shepherd

You know, lately, I've been experiencing a lot of heartache over just missing the people I love at home. It's hard to be away from EVERYTHING that is so familiar. It's difficult to be in a place where no one REALLY knows you yet. There are not those people around who can look at you and see past the brave face you're wearing. I miss those who know my heart and how to help guard and protect it. It is overwhelming to walk the streets of a foreign country by myself- when everything looks so different then what I am used to, and there are no road signs. I cannot distinguish one road from the next, and I can't stop to ask for directions because I do not know how to speak these people's language. I can't greet anyone on the streets because of the language and cultural barrier. I get so turned around, and it is difficult to realize that no one that I know and love can come and be with me. I feel like no one knows me. I feel like no one hears me. It is a feeling of complete and utter isolation. All along, I've known the truth- that He is with me. That He is my Father. He knows me. Yet it is amazing how commonplace truth can become. There have been times in these last few weeks where honestly, I have cried out to God, and have still felt so alone. It's because sometimes I only see Him from one point of view.
Just last night, when I was crying out and longing to be known and understood, these two words came to mind: Good Shepherd.
All of a sudden, that truth just washed over me like I had heard it for the first time. I flipped immediately to John 10, the passage where our Brother reveals himself as the Good Shepherd. And He spoke to my lonely heart. "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize his voice."
That quiet voice reminded me... there is one who knows me. I am not wandering blindly. He CALLED me out. He has gone ahead of me. And I am following- not wandering. There IS someone here who knows me. There is someone who looks after me.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep."
When I feel vulnerable, unheard, unnoticed, LOST, there is one who knows exactly where I am. He leads me. He comforts me. He LAYS down his LIFE for me. I am not alone.
And He goes on to remind me....
V. 16 "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." This is my call. There is one who loves me enough to lay down his life... now can I lay down mine for his other sheep? Can I give up my comfort and security to bring them in also??
You know, every part of the Father is worthy of worship. But sometimes one aspect of his character speaks out and ministers to our life at that moment, more than any other. I guess I sort of forgot about Him being my Good Shepherd. Until He gently spoke those words to me last night. He quieted me. If the truth has become commonplace to you... I challenge you, to look from a different perspective. Think about your Father from a different aspect of His character. It may be just what your heart needs.