Speak to My Soul Sunday – I Wanna Be A Sheep


Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. ~ Psalm 100:3
I’ve heard this one a bunch of times, but it bears repeating. Just like when your kids were in preschool the teacher would use the ‘repetition’ method to help teach and discipline the kids. When my kids were in preschool they used to sing this song, “I Wanna Be A Sheep, Baa Baa”…do you know that one? Sing it in your head if you do. (hee hee).

There is a lot to be said for this method of teaching, so today, even though I am sure you have heard a story, or several stories, devotionals, or sermons on being a SHEEP, I want to take a minute and tackle it with you again.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ~ John 10:27

Have you ever stopped to think about when Jesus was referencing us to the likes of SHEEP? I mean, really, think about this…sheep just aren’t very smart. They have teeny tiny little brains and just basically go around eating and sleeping all day. (Hey, might not be a bad life, huh?) But really, when I first heard this I was a tad bit offended by it. If you are really honest maybe you were too. Come on…a sheep. I wanna be a LION (fierce and strong), or a DOLPHIN (cute, sweet, and intelligent), or just about any other half way decent animal other than a SHEEP.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ~ Matthew 9:36

If we could save ourselves, we wouldn’t need a savior. –Max Lucado

You know what though, there is a simple beauty to the SHEEP. Let’s think about it. Sheep rest in the fact that their shepherd will protect them. Provide for them. Lead them. Have their best interests at heart. They don’t have to worry about where their next pasture will be (for food), whether they will be safe (the shepherd protects), or anything else. They just go about their day, in and out, eating, sleeping, and doing their thing.

As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. ~ Ezekiel 34:12


Ok, now, let’s park here for a minute. Sit back and visualize with me what life would be like if you could completely rest in the fact that your needs would be met. That everything you needed to survive (and even thrive) would be provided for you. All you would need to do is listen to the voice of the shepherd. Your days would be peaceful, restful, and your whole entire job would be to listen for the words of the shepherd. Amazing, isn’t it? What a beautiful picture of what Jesus is trying to show us.

Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands. -Elisabeth Elliot

Quite simply we get stuck in the worry, the mire, the mud, the pit, the muck, and all the yuck of this world because we forget to put the wool on and just become a SHEEP! Jesus, the One and only wants to be your shepherd, He wants to protect you, guide you, and guard you. Look what it says in
John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Yep, I’ve changed my mind. There is a lot to be said in becoming a SHEEP! No longer do I want to follow my own agenda, my own plans, my own schedule…I just wanna be a SHEEP!

Psalm 79:13Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

I just wanna be a Sheep,

Baa Baa,

8 Comments

  1. This was too funny to pass up!

    We used to sing a song at church camp called, “I Just Wanna Be Sheep”.

    There are 4 verses and my kids love it when I sing it with them. There are even gestures to go along with the verses!

    Good times!

  2. Me too my friend, Me too!

    I have been watching the news and reading reports about how bad things are. It is easy to get all worked up about gas prices, economy, food prices etc. The verse that comes to mind is Matthew 6:8 — Consider the lilies. I want to “Live Like a Lily”

    I love your post!

  3. I always thought it was comforting that God likened us to sheep especially the fact that shepherds are gentle and lead their sheep with kindness, never anger, never rushing them. Makes me think of my savior in a kind and gentle light, just how He is.

  4. Okay, even if you didn’t hook up with my best peep Amy, I would still like you because of this post. You KNOW I love me some sheep! Sorry I didn’t get to meet you. Maybe next time. Don’t be baaaaashful. Stop on by. 🙂 Carol @ sheep to the right

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