I Just Wanna Be A Sheep

Some of you may remember the children’s Bible song, “I Just Wanna Be A Sheep.” I remember it from my daughters’ Vacation Bible School days years ago and still sing it under my breath today. If you’re not familiar with the song’s lyrics, no need to google; this post will hum it’s sweet tune to your heart so you can find rest for your soul.

I remember one time the Lord spoke to me and told me His church was tired. I knew exactly what He meant by “tired” because by that time He had already established my heart in His Rest; a rest that is Jesus Himself. A rest that was given freely to be our way of life because of His finished work on the cross. When I speak of rest, I am referring to the inward peace of the soul; a freedom from stress, anxiety, fear and worry that ultimately brings healing and health to your mind, emotions, physical body and yes, even your circumstances and relationships. In other words, the place of rest is the place of blessing.

However, many sincere Christians are “tired” and  burned-out on religion because they are still “trying” to be pleasing to God; trying to live “for” Him instead of living “from” His pleasure, His love and His finished work. (I know because I used to be one of them.) But what Jesus did on your behalf in His death, burial and resurrection has already made you perfectly satisfying to Father God. You are free to let go of your silly efforts in trying to gratify Him. You are already His pleasure and delight! Yes, you’ve been gifted the freedom to live like sheep; care-free, cared-for and safe in your Shepherd’s embrace!

Baa Baa Baa Baa! So…what does it mean to live like a sheep you ask? First, let’s start with the shepherd and a little history found in HIS story. In Bible times, a shepherd was always deeply interested in each individual sheep of His flock. He would know every single one so intimately that he could feel when one was absent and would’ve even been willing to risk his life for any one in the flock. Such is the case with your tender-loving Good Shepherd Jesus. However, He did more than risk His life for us, He laid it down for us. Then He gave us His very life just so He can have sweet communion with us. (see John 10:11-18).

What’s more, the Psalmist David (whose name means beloved), by the Holy Spirit reveals to us secrets of the life of the sheep found in Psalm 23. The young shepherd himself, was only able to care for his father’s sheep (even killing both lion and bear to save his lamb, 1 Samuel 17:36) because he knew how to be a sheep first. His complete dependence was on God alone. He confessed and sang the Lord was his Shepherd and because he knew he was completely His, he lacked nothing! (Psalm 23:1).

In verse two of Psalm 23 we discover the sweet serenity of rest. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” Knowing what Jesus did for you on the cross, how He became your sin and curse and how He bore your shame and afflictions so you could be made whole, will cause you to “lie down” and feed from His love, truth and grace. The more you believe you are wholly forgiven and so perfectly accepted and adored, the more you will lay down your burdens to be “led beside the still waters.” The Hebrew word for “still” is menuwchah which actually means “resting place, rest, quietness.” This is His heart for you. He wants you to relax and enjoy Him knowing that He will provide, guide and shield you.

Jesus wants you to enjoy His grace and all-sufficiency knowing that everything you need and desire was paid for at Calvary. He wants your heart garrisoned in His peace and unearned favor. What is on your heart this moment? “Do not be afraid!…The LORD will fight for you, you just remain calm.”(Exodus 14:13,14). When you remain at rest, you will see Him work!

It may sound too simple, but your only “work” in your relationship with God, is to cease striving and consent to be loved, carried and cared for. When you feel lost and unsure, cry out (or bleat) and let your Shepherd Savior “find you” as you are and sweep you off your feet. He’ll lay you on His strong shoulders, carry your load and rejoice over you simply because you are His! (Luke 15:5).

He doesn’t need your religious activity or performance, He just wants you and your trust. From that place of relationship-rest, Jesus will cause His Life to move in and through you effortlessly and supernaturally. The more you let Him be your Shepherd, the more you’ll find yourself feeding on His goodness. The more you see Jesus as the One True Lamb that was slain for you, the more you’ll find yourself living like His sheep; protected, held in His arms and carried in His bosom so you can rest your head on His heart that beats for you.

“He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11.

What a relief! And now, after catching your breath from feeding on that good news, and like the last verse of that sweet song, I hope you’ll “just wanna BE a child of God.” Because beloved, that’s who you are!

Resting In His Love,

Annalee Reyes

(If you’ve never accepted what Jesus has done for you at the cross, and you desire to live an eternal life full of His immeasurable love and rest, you can simply pray to Him now: “Lord Jesus, I ask You to come into my heart and be Lord and Savior of my life. I believe you died for me taking my sin, curse and guilt on the cross. And when you were raised from the dead, I was raised in you. I am now a new creation; your dearly loved spotless child, and you are now my Daddy God Who will take care of my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.”)