Lenten Devotion: Following the Good Shepherd (John 10.1-10)
Day 24 – 1 Apr 2025
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
During my quiet time with God, I was meditating on the book “Boundaries” by Dr Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend. During that time, this verse spoke to me: “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they may have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.”
The thief mentioned need not be a person. It can represent anything that is detrimental to our “time, freedom and purpose” in living a Christ centred life, which is the “fullest possible way” that God desires for us. It could be a troubled past, a festering emotion or materialistic things that we are clinging on to. However, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, the God that watches over us like a good shepherd and stay focused on the truth, we shall emerge stronger, in our journey to fulfill what God has intended for us.
For me personally, anxiety has always been the “thief” that robbed me of peace and time. After personally encountering God’s love for me, I know that his steadfast love has always been there. Hence, I am determined to let go of the anxiety that was holding me hostage in many situations.
In this season, even as my career seems uncertain, I keep my eyes on Jesus, listening to his voice, like the sheep to a good shepherd, trusting that He will go ahead of me, to guide me in seeking “plenty of food”, the security that I need. As such, even as I ponder over my next step in my career, I choose to pray when I feel troubled, enrich myself with the words of God and find various resources to better explore the bible, so that I can have a closer relationship with God, and to better understand what it means to have a God-centred life. I choose to follow Christ in actions, and not just words.
I am still unsure of my future path, but I am choosing to face every situation with faith and trust in the Good Shepherd and his plan for my life.
Sarah Lee🙏