Guys, I talk a lot about living on purpose and for a purpose. I guess you could say it’s a passion of mine. But, I got to thinking this week as I was driving to work about sheep and I thought I’d share.

I believe that everyone has a purpose, a place in this crazy world. Everything happens for a reason. God has this intricate plan and we’re all part of it. He desires us and His plan is to draw us to Him. I get so excited about what that means for me! I yearn, deeply and truly yearn, for God. I want to fulfil my purpose, to live intentionally. It’s almost like I’m afraid my life will pass me by and I’ll have nothing to show for it. I’m terrified I’ll have wasted the precious gift of life and the time I’ve been given. I’m also fired up to see the potential God has laid in me come to fruition.

Part of that comes from being a teacher, I’m sure. But the other part is the desire embedded deep in my heart, in the very core of my being. I was designed to be with God, to grow in Him, to walk with Him. I’m made to be in relationship with Him and so I refuse to come to the end of my life and miss out on the golden opportunities God places in my life. 

That being said, I’m a bit of a big picture kind of girl. I love details and getting in the nitty gritty for some things, but when it comes to my life, I kind of like to glance up at the pretty sunset picture a lot. I draw inspiration from the goal. It motivates me to move forward, and I think having a clear vision for your life is imperative. If you walk aimlessly, guess what…you’re not gonna get anywhere! Zig Ziglar says that “if you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” Wow! 

Well, how do you “shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars” (Norman Vincent Peale)? How do you reach that big, giant, seemingly unattainable goal? I mean, it’s a lot to say “I’m going to become all that God made me to be. Haha!” and then march off confidently. It’s abstract. And not as easy as it sounds. Well, for starters, you put a plan in place, you take active steps to better yourself and draw closer to God. You put your trust in Him and pray a whole lot. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.

But what has any of this got to do with sheep?! Well, I’m getting there. For me, it’s easy to get lost in that big picture. I can spend incredible amounts of time planning and plotting and praying. I can work tirelessly on my life goals and plan out this great, grand scheme. But the trusting God part and getting from point A to point B isn’t always easy for me.

It’s easy to say I trust God, to chant it like a mantra and smile boldly as I march to work and through my day, eyes high on the target. It’s when I look down from the vision and see the muck I’m in that I begin to waiver. Just like Peter when he took His eyes off Jesus out on the sea and panic struck. But as I drove to work the other day, I began to see the “muck” through a different light.

Are you watching sheep? I don’t mean counting sheep to fall asleep. No, are you watching sheep, like a shepherd does? Still confused? Let me explain.

In the Bible, there was a man named David, a very famous man actually. Perhaps you’ve heard of him. But before he was king, and before he slew giants with a sling, he did something very different with his life…It wasn’t glorious. It wasn’t cool or hip or probably very fun either. He wasn’t a pop star or a hero loved by many. He wasn’t standing up to giants with a sling and a stone from day one. No, he was a musician in his time off and worked in the family biz. Yup, that’s right. He was a shepherd. 

While his brothers were off fighting wars and earning glory, little David was stuck at home tending stinky sheep. He took them out to feed them, went after them when the stupid things wondered off, even fought off bears and lions and critters who tried to eat them! He guided them, kept them groomed, and maybe even cleaned up after them, too. Not a coveted position in the company so to speak. 

But…I think there’s a lot to learn from David. He not only developed the skills and character he needed when he finally did get the fat pay raise, but while he was in the muck, he took incredible care of his flock. He accounted for the mundane days with integrity and made the most of them. He didn’t slack off or wish his lot away. No, he was content with the flock he’d been given and took pride in looking after them to the best of his ability. He was faithful in the little things, and later, God granted him a much bigger flock than Jesse’s sheep.

David spent his time in the fields growing closer to God and growing stronger as a man, both physically and in his character. He learned to stand up against predators and care for his charges tenderly. He learned to be humble and meek in his family. He learned to be grateful for what he had and not covet his brothers.

David looked after his responsibilities as a shepherd boy as if he were a king, the field his kingdom, and the sheep his people. He didn’t bemoan what God had given him, but delighted in worshiping God with song and dance instead. You don’t sing and dance when you’re discontent and stewing over what you don’t have. It just doesn’t happen, people!

His time as a shepherd prepared him for greater things, for his ultimate purpose, for the life God had planned. That big picture was still out there, even when David had no idea it existed. Furthermore, David didn’t neglect his flock and pace the fields planning or worrying that he was missing something greater. No, he considered his work instrumental. Even when others mocked him for his low status and even when his work was monotonous and tedious, David made the best of his time and worked as an act of worship to God. David was grateful and poured himself into his work as if it were the greatest work he could have dreamt of. 

Wow, guys. That one hit me hard. There are so many things I want to do with my life. There’s so much potential I want to fulfil! I have such specific desires and goals!! But, I’m just not there yet. And right now, I’ve got a lot of sheep under my care. Sheep who need my best, especially on days when I don’t want to give it.  

How can we be expected to guide nations (or influence audiences if you dream of writing like me), if we can’t manage the small flock we have now? How can I ever expect God to trust me with a kingdom when I can’t be bothered to guard His sheep with integrity and every bit as much passion as I would rule my kingdom? I can’t write off where I am now. I have to live in integrity and fulfil my responsibilities and the smallest of tasks with all I am.

I want that shiny, sparkly kingdom, y’all. But this muck-covered field has precious gemstones in it, too. I just have to find them, to choose to see the value in where God has me now. I have to be who God made me to be where I am. Right now, I’m watching sheep. And I want to be the shepherd God would smile down on and claim as His own. Even if I never become queen.

Love always,
Coralie