More like a Sheep Dog

Black and white Border Collie stands at attention, wagging his long-haired tail. He leans forward, aching to round up the flock of sheep. Master herdsman gently says, “Stay.”

Collie sits back on his haunches. Panting, his pink tongue hangs from his mouth, saliva dripping on the hot dusty ground. He is not happy about the command to wait, but he’s obedient. He’s a sheep dog.

Master whistles. Collie lunges towards the sheep, circles behind them, cuts off the sheep that went astray. Without growling, Collie steers the sheep towards the corral.

“Hold,” says the Master, but Collie presses them forward. Another whistle followed by the words, “Listen, listen, now hold!”

Collie crouches behind the sheep. He seems to be cowering. But he’s giving them “the eye.” Staring at the sheep, he tries to intimidate them into doing what he wants. Stay until the Master opens the gate.

“Reminds me of mom’s eyes.” my son remarks.

I laugh. “Yes, moms are famous for using the eye to make our kids obey.”

People at the County Fairgrounds clap when the Sheep Dog demonstration is over, but I’m deep in thought.

“We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3).

Bible verses compare me to a sheep: those food-oriented creatures that congregate in groups, following the herd mentality, and easily stressed. Okay, I can see similarities. Like them, I cling to the good Shepherd and trust him for my welfare. But after today….

I’d rather be like a sheep dog.

I’d live to please my Master. Watch Him. Listen for His voice. Obey His commands.

 If I were more like a sheep dog, I could run, run, run and not get tired.

Then I could “run with endurance the race that is set before me, fixing my eyes on Jesus.” (Heb. 12:1)

If I were more like a sheep dog, I’d need a job to be entertained.

I can relate. Agenda-oriented is my middle name. Show me Lord, how to follow

“the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep …even Jesus our Lord, to equip me in every good thing to do His will, working in me that which is pleasing in His sight…” (Hebrews 13:20)

If I were more like a sheep dog, I’d hear these words,

“Well done, good and faithful servant! …Come and share your Master’s happiness!”(Matthew 25:21).

Author: Karen Foster

I'd like to say I've changed, but after decades of living, I still have the same four passions. My relationship with Jesus, spending time with family, attending live theater, and writing devotions & first-person stories about a loving, faithful God who reveals Himself in our every day circumstances. View all posts by Karen Foster