He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Proverbs 10:17

Picture the sheep being guided by the shepherd. When it begins to wander, the shepherd will gently use his rod to steer it in the right direction. If the sheep still doesn’t correct itself, the shepherd will have to use more force. Occasionally, the sheep might get completely off course, and this could distract other sheep who will easily follow the wrong path.

This is how the Bible likens our spiritual journey. 

Jesus will always gently guide us, but when we start to resist, the guiding might feel a bit more painful: not because Jesus is being forceful, but because we are resisting. 

No one likes correction. It can be painful, embarrassing, and humbling, but it is far better to heed the gentle correction than to wander down a path that God never tended you to go down. 

Be encouraged to listen to your loving shepherd today!

Lent is a wonderful time to focus on listening to the Lord to discover where He is leading us. We sacrifice, we abstain, we offer alms which can only help to hear His voice more clearly – free from the distractions of the false idols we may have created, which serve as distractions & often pull us off the path of His will for us.

Personally, I look forward to the Lenten Season in our Liturgical year. First, let me say: I do know, appreciate and value that we are a Resurrection people! However, there is a “drawing closer to God” which can be experienced when we immerse ourselves fully during this compassionate time with Our Lord. I love remembering, most especially during this lenten period, that he is The Miracle who came to do a miracle.

And if He needed to walk this path to reach the Resurrection, who am I to devalue the importance of a similar path for me?

It is a sacred time when pain and glory (do) most definitely go hand in hand.

I pray the Lord allows time & space for me to share with you the different ways He shall prod or gently tend to me during this period of time.

Please, won’t you do the same?

Good Shepherd, I sense your gentle grinding of my paths each day. Help me to go with your guidance and not to resist your gentle correction when I begin to walk astray. Let me always trust in your leading rather than my own understanding. 

In what ways are you prone to go off course? How is Jesus getting your attention to get you back on track again?

hugs n’ blessings to all those following the Good Shepherd toward green pastures.