I’m learning that when the Bible calls us sheep, it’s not so much a compliment. Sheep are kinda dumb. They will wander off, get lost, fall into water, and generally make poor choices. They’re pretty much helpless without a shepherd.

But the Good Shepherd in the Bible loves His sheep. Not because of their inherent goodness or intelligence or charm. He loves them because He is the shepherd and they — we — are His sheep.

That takes a load off my mind, because my job isn’t to navigate my future and anticipate every possible danger that may or may not come my way. It’s not to worry about what grass is safe to eat and what streams are safe to drink from.

My job is to trust the Shepherd. That’s it. If I read Psalm 23 correctly, He’s the one who supplies all my needs, leads me to green pastures and still waters, guides me in right paths, and leads me through dangerous valleys. I only have to heed His voice and follow.

I still love how Psalm 23 starts off in the third person — He leads, He guides, He restores. But then it changes to second person — You prepare, You anoint. The point where the change happens is in the middle of the valley of the shadow of death. That’s where the Shepherd becomes personal and my faith goes from theoretical to practical, from head assent to heart assurance.

When you trust the Shepherd and follow the Shepherd, you come to know the Shepherd and learn His heart. That’s the best part.