I’m no farmer and have spent zero time caring for farm animals, but I grew up around a lot of farmers. I learned how to identify the difference between a farmer and a GOOD farmer.
A normal farmer sees his or her animals as a means to an end. They are nothing but a commodity to be used and produce profits.
A GOOD farmer builds relationships with his/her animals. The animals are not products but a part of the family. They begin to feel what the animal feels and even tend to protect them from dangers the animals may never understand.
The Bible is full of amazing descriptors to paint the infinite character of God. He is the Provider, Protector, Counselor, and many more. The one that always boggled my mind was the Good Shepherd.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms,
holding them close to his heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.Isaiah 40:11
Sheep aren’t the sharpest tool in the animal kingdom. They are often considered to be mindless in many ways. It’s quite humbling to know we, as humans are described as sheep.
But Jesus modeled something that is so counter-cultural that we don’t know what to do with it. Christians love to try to pretend we understand but if we did, our faith might actually work and see miracles left and right.
Did you know that flies would often lay their eggs in the sheep’s ears and the buzzing would drive the sheep crazy. So crazy that sheep would begin to smack their heads on rocks, trees, or anything else they could find.
Many sheep would smash their heads until they eventually died. They would literally take their own life.
But a good shepherd would kneel down in the mud and dirt to care for his/her sheep. The shepherd would place oil or wax around the sheep’s ears to prevent flies from laying their eggs.
What blew my mind was that the sheep would have NO IDEA that the shepherd would be protecting them from something that may lead to their death.
What are things that God has protected me from, without me even knowing it, that may have led to my downfall?
Where has the Good Shepherd knelt down to rub oil or wax in my weak areas that provide protection?
Jesus was willing to get into the mud to get at my level. To meet me where I was at. To protect me from things I wasn’t even aware of. Jesus got in the mud, am I willing to do the same?
Jesus got in the mud of my addictions.
Jesus got in the mud of my anger.
Jesus got in the mud of my self-doubt.
Jesus got in the mud of my pessimism.
Jesus got in the mud for me and you.
I believe Jesus has called us to get in the mud of life.
He asks us to get down to the level of the people He is calling us to reach.
Jesus didn’t do a ministry of distance. He approached the people. He got into the mess and mud of life to show the love of God to these people.
How different could our world look if Christians cared less about looking clean and cared more about getting in the mud to reach people?
Jesus got in the mud, will you? Will you join me in entering into the mess of life to give hope and life to those in our lives that are dying in their mud?
No matter where you are at on your journey of faith, I pray that this encourages you in some way. May God bless you and your family.
“How different could our world look if Christians cared less about looking clean and cared more about getting in the mud to reach people?”
Amen.