Sheep don’t have a choice. They are vulnerable, yet valuable, so shepherds are assigned to feed and care for them. Humans seek mentors and coaches to guide them in life, but what if you could have a relationship that would last forever, and be so much more fulfilling than what any other human could offer you? What if you could have your own spiritual "Shepherd?" Someone to steer and guide you, who will listen when you’re sad or scared, and who will help you for an eternity? Well, you CAN! But no one will be assigned to you, you have to seek out a Shepherd, and His name is Jesus Christ.
Why walk alone? Why face everything in life by yourself? Is this concept of being shepherded hard to imagine because you cannot see Jesus in the physical form? Even though He’s not with us in this millennium, He’s not dead. He’s very much alive and willing to “shepherd” us, in every sense of the word, you just have to ask for His help!
Our Shepherd Jesus is not interested in forcing Himself on anyone. That’s how dictators act. He is not a dictator. He gives us the freedom to choose Him, and there are only a few rules you have to follow if you want His help:
First, you have to believe in Him, and be willing to express your faith openly and without reservation.
Second, you have to follow the rules He laid out in the Bible. Those rules protect you, not oppress you, so you must try every day to abide by them.
Third, you have to talk to Him, share your inner most feelings, like a best friend, and listen for His voice at the same time. Finally, you have to commit. Really commit. You cannot choose to follow when it's convenient, then ignore Him when it’s not.
If it’s hard to understand this concept, read what it says in John 10:25-30:
“Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”