Royce Kennedy email
A group on a visit to the holy land came
upon a shepherd tending his flock. They noticed, however,
that he carried one sheep across his shoulder with what
seemed to be a broken leg. Someone asked what had happened
to the sheep. The shepherd explained that the sheep was
always straying and would not remain with the flock so he
broke his leg. The desired result is that by carrying the
sheep on his shoulder until the leg is healed, the
sheep will have gotten tamed and so used to the shepherd
that he will never run off again. Isn't it true that
sometimes we have to get broken and even melted until we
become supple [flexible] in the hand of our heavenly Father?
And even when we see what sort of vessel he intends to shape
us into, we resist and complain. It is only after a
prolonged process that we finally get the message and begin
to settle down. Saul got an immediate awakening when he
heard: "It is hard for you to kick against the pricks." When
Jesus said that he would draw all men unto him, the word
DRAW carries the connotation of being "dragged as if by the
collar." I love the song that says: "My stubborn
will at last hath yielded; I would be thine, and thine
alone; and this the prayer my lips are bringing, Lord, let
in me thy will be done. Sweet will of God, still fold me
closer, till I am wholly lost in thee." So let it be
written, so let it be done!" Royce Kennedy, Maryland |