I graduate from college in May and I have no idea what I'm doing with my life. Just the other day, I was talking to a peer in my class about post-graduation plans, and I stared her in the eyes and answered "I don't know" to probably 90% of her questions.
Where are you? Are you planning post-graduation adventures? Applying for jobs? Starting a new school? Doing something new?
It's really terrifying, okay? You're allowed to feel that.
Let's go to John 10. I'll include portions of it, but you can read it in its entirety on your own time either online or in your personal Bible.
In the book of John, it gives accounts of Jesus walking and doing ministry. In the book of John, we see several "I am" statements that Jesus made about Himself. In John 10, we see two of those statements: "I am the door of the sheep" in verse 7 and "I am the good shepherd" in verse 14. This is Jesus declaring that He's the shepherd that lays down His own life for us, His sheep, so we can dwell in safety.
So first, what truths can we get from this?
1. He knows your name.
In this chapter Jesus said, "the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out" (verse 3). Friends, I hope you get this. He knows your name. Every person on this Earth, he knows on a personal level. He knows your name, the number of hairs on your head, your fears, your desires. He knows you and wants to have a relationship with you.
In this world, it's easy to feel like we blend in, we don't stand out, and we're no one. But when it comes to our shepherd, and our protector, we are known.
2. We have safety in our Shepherd.
In verse 26, Jesus says, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Did you know some shepherds would sleep at the foot of the pen their sheep slept in? It was to protect the sheep in case anything happened in the middle of the night, whether a predator came or whatever.
Talk about protection.
No matter what challenge you are facing, no matter what obstacle is scaring you today, know that the Lord has you. When you dwell in the Shepherd's watch, you dwell in the unbreakable truth that nothing can take you. You're in the pen where the Shepherd guards, and you're safe.
So now what? What's the purpose of this?
I want you, today, right now, to rest in safety. Whether you're stressed about a future job, or overwhelmed with school, or in fear over something in you life, rest.
The Lord is not only our shepherd, but He's a good shepherd.
As you look at the path of your life and plan, know that the Lord is not going to lead you down a path of destruction. That's not the God we serve. But instead, He leads us down a path of abundant joy. "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly," John 10:10).
You can trust Him. You can rest in Him. He is faithful, good, and true.
"The closer we are to the Shepherd, the safer we are from the wolves." - Jarrid Wilson
