THE NARROW WAY

Have you ever seen a sheep herding contest?  I saw my first one at the Fryeberg Fair in Maine. Half the time, the sheep  ignored the  dog, refusing to obey his lead. But the sheep dog just patiently waited for the shepherd to whistle his commands. Then like a shot, the dog would race across the field, nipping at the kneels of the sheep directing them towards the pen.  I was amazed how many of the sheep fought entering one by one through a narrow gate.  Eventually, the shepherd and his sheep dog herded them into the pen. The contest lasted about ten minutes. The shepherd and his dog, who were the fastest to herd their sheep into the pen and close the gate won.

This event was one of the most fascinating to watch, especially the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep dog. It reminded me of one of the glories of our Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd. 

 Jesus Christ is the Shepherd, we are the sheep and the Holy Spirit is the sheep dog.  The Holy Spirit was sent into the world to bring us back through the NARROW GATE to the Good Shepherd. The Holy Spirit is often called the "the hound of heaven" and I can see why.  He is determined to fulfill the glory of the Good Shepherd in His sheep even if we go astray, He will be nipping at our heels.

Sheep have such a mind of their own. How appropriate it is for the Lord to call us His SHEEP.  By working together, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit hems us in on all sides leading us through the NARROW GATE on our journey home.  If we are left to ourself, we would wander in this world without hope.  

I am so grateful to be born again by the grace of God and able to confess that Jesus Christ is THE NARROW WAY: THE ONLY WAY  BACK TO MY FATHER IN HEAVEN. John 14:6.