Check your proximity: How close are you to the Shepherd?

Jesus is the good Shepherd. The One who laid down His life for His sheep (you and I). In Psalm 23, King David beautifully depicts Jesus’s role as the Chief Shepherd in our lives: He loves us, cares for us, leads us, guides us, chastens us, corrects us, protects us, and provides for us etc.

Our fruitfulness in this life depends on how we abide in the true vine, Jesus Christ (John 15), and stay in step with Him.

Therefore, if there comes a time when you don’t feel close to the Shepherd, Jesus Christ, STOP and CHECK YOUR PROXIMITY to Him.

1. Are first things first? Are you spending time with God? No matter what’s going on in your life, He is first. He is above all and before all.

2. Are you reading God’s Word? How can you hear, know, or discern the voice of the Shepherd if you don’t read His Word?

3. Are you worshipping God? Worship enables us to draw near to God. When we draw near to God, He draws near to us (James 4:8). God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). When we worship, He comes and everything that He is comes to dwell with us and we are never left wanting.

4. Are you praying to God? Prayer is our lifeline to God. It’s our line of communication to Him. We bring Him our petitions and desires, and He answers in His timing and according to His will and way. Furthermore, when we listen to Him, He communicates His will to us.

5. Are you obedient to God? Are you keeping His Word and His commandments? Are you doing the last thing He told you to do? Are you following after Him or are you going after your own way?

Lastly, if there comes a time when you can’t hear the Shepherd’s voice clearly and confidently, STOP and CHECK YOUR PROXIMITY to Him.

You are His sheep, and you are supposed to hear His voice (John 10:3-4).

Understand that if you are advancing or regressing in your life, you are listening to and following a voice(s): Whose is it? Is it God’s voice? Is it your voice? Is it the devil’s voice? Or the voice of others? Find out and respond accordingly.

Be encouraged! You are loved!