Monday, April 10, 2006

All Gone Astray?



It was reported by the Associated Press that last July, near the town of Gavas, eastern Turkey, one sheep among a large flock walked to the edge of a cliff and jumped to its death. A second sheep quickly imitated the first, also leaping off the cliff to its death. Then a third sheep followed. Then a fourth. Then a fifth.
"There is no such thing as a sheep that possesses leadership qualities-all are born followers." I'm quoting David Kirkwood, and although I doubt deeply that he has ever spent any time with sheep, has shared some interesting insights concerning people. I was "farm" raised. Growing up one of my duties was to tend the sheep. That was before I was given the free rein of a horse and cattle to watch over. It's a thing you deal with knowing that more responsibility will be given you when you have "grown up" a little more.
David is right about much. When it comes to sheep they are flat out stupid! Did I mention that he was writing about people? Much of the "christian" world is in the same pasture as the shepherds were as they watched their flock go over the cliff, one at a time! Quoting Mr. Kirkwood again he goes on to say, "Sadly, we'll follow just about anyone who appears to know what he is talking about." Have we by default of some sort, or excuse making, given over our reason to people who have not a clue as to where we're going? Somehow I would like for this to not be the "fact of matters" but am beginning to become convinced that people do not really want to see the cliff, or hear the implications that come with jumping off it! (1,499 sheep can't be wrong, can they?)
Our world today is filled with folks that want to share their truth with us. People! It is not their truth you need to concern yourself with. It is yours! You and I need to work through our salvation with all of our strength, all of our intellect, and every resource that is available to enlighten us as to where it is we are going.
I have to quote David one more time, "Sheep are dumb, and I mean d-u-m, dumb. They are easily misled and so are we. As hard as it may be to admit, we generally tend to be followers who let others do our thinking for us. Sadly, we'll follow just about anyone who appears to know what he is talking about." Did you hear that last part? Yup, I reapeated it because that is what has us acting like sheep. Instead of searching for the truth we let others do it for us, and then repeat it as though it were our own. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, follow every path, act, move, made by someone else or on behalf of someone else. Seek first for what God has called you to do, be, say, give, live, believe, and all the rest that goes with it. Then, and only then can you be certain that you are following the true "Lamb of God!" In Christ's Love, Preacher.