Have you ever felt like you can’t go on any further?
I experienced this feeling recently during a bout of respiratory infection, exacerbated by a cough-induced back strain.
Even more stressful was my attempt to prepare for a Refreshing day workshop due in a few weeks. Fortunately, I had prepared a large chunk of the presentation well beforehand.
But … the loss of energy and motivation weighed heavy.
As part of the preparation for “Beside Still Waters,” about Psalm 23, I happened to come across a very inspirational YouTube clip by Ingela Larsson, a shepherdess for 11 years. Here’s some ‘gems’ I gleaned:
… When a sheep becomes very ‘cast’ due to wet wool, it lies there with its eyes closed, as if resigned to die. But when the shepherd calls the sheep, it opens its eyes, allows the shepherd to turn it around and attempts to stand alone. But it can’t!
Finally this ‘helpless’ sheep allows the shepherd to embrace it in his arms, then to be held over the shepherd’s knee. This allows the blood to run back into its legs. When ‘refilled,’ the sheep will return immediately to embrace life again!
Yahweh/El Ra’ah, our Chief Shepherd, takes us in His arms and loves us back to life again.”1
“Help! Carry me!” I cried out to my Shepherd.
As I visualised myself in His arms, I felt ‘carried’ by my Shepherd. In deep peace and REST I was able to complete the preparation and facilitate this workshop!
Will you let this Chief Shepherd carry YOU, His precious sheep, in His nail-scarred hands?
RELAX and enjoy!
‘He will care for you as a shepherd tends his flock, gathering the weak lambs and taking them in his arms. He carries them close to his heart and gently leads those that have young.’
Isaiah 40:11 TPT
Check out this interview: 1“Helpless Sheep and Trusting Horses,” Ingela Larsson with Eric Gilmour. May 2024. (39mins) See HERE
Image of olive wood shepherd from Israel taken by J. Hillary, used with permission
Thank you for the article about the cast sheep, I felt it especially poignant having been written by a Sheppedess.
I too have applied this wonderful picture of our loving Savior. I remembered crying out to the Lord as my shepherd at a time when I was a fallen sheep. I cried out to Him to come to me and pick me up & put me on His shoulders and carry me, as I could no longer walk to Him. He did exactly that.
Barbara your post filled my heart with and gratitude & warmth as I remembered the love of my Lord carrying me then as He does at times now too.
Vivianne Hamilton
Thank you fellow traveller!
Sorry for my delayed response, Vivianne. I’ve only just noticed your comment which is so encouraging, thanks. Barbara