Wolf at the Door

The wolf at the door is a common metaphor. Little do we realize, however, that it is, indeed, not only a reality, but also a great danger for the Christian. What are we doing, as children of God, to prepare ourselves for the onslaught of the wolf?

12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
(John 10:12-14, King James Version)

Wolf at the Door!

Security! How secure are you? Just a quick perusal of local and world headlines is enough to shatter the walls of security we have built around us. We certainly cannot depend upon others, and in reality, neither can we depend upon ourselves. After all, we are but sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Is there no security to be found?

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Ah, but our Shepherd is not an hireling. He saves us and keeps us in His constant care, showing us the love of our Father God--a love which we cannot begin to comprehend.

But, what of us? How do we do with the sheep in our care? What purpose does God have for us, His children? Are we here so that we can self actualize and be all that we can be, or are we here so that we can show the love of our Father to those all around us who do not know Him. I fear that in a world that speaks much of God, so little is actually known about God!

Christ is not a Shepherd who loves Himself so much that He has little or no time for His sheep. Let us pray that we would grow in the love of Christ so that we will be a glowing testimony of the Love of God to all of the lost sheep He has entrusted into our care. May they learn to know the security offered in Christ, as they see it manifested in our own lives and in our love and concern for them.

I do not know about you, but I have a very long way to go!

Next: One Fold - John 10:15-18