I was perplexed this week when I saw people posting that “I want to be a lion who refuses to talk, walk, and sleep with Sheep”, As I thought about it more I realized this is what is wrong these days in our world. How can we find Unity if we choose to not associate with others who we think aren’t like us? Luke 15:2 reminds us “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Jesus was the true Lion. He knew who He was and what His mission was in life. He obviously did not refuse too talk, walk, and sleep with Sheep.
Jesus goes on to teach, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”
So, I am confused. How can we create Unity (Uncompromised Never-ending Intensity Toward Yes), if we won’t talk or walk with those sheep who are looking for someone who is strong like a lion to follow? Maybe I am missing something but this thought process seems to be one of arrogance rather than leading others with a servant hearted humility. Another way of putting it is “If we are always looking up to God, we won’t have time to look down on others” Let’s also remember those who think of themselves as lions now, were shaped by others as they matured. What would have happened if those who taught you the way had chosen to not “talk, walk, or lie down” with you when you needed their help?
A.W. Tozer says, “God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible – what a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” Isaiah 11:6 reminds us,
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.“
The little child Isaiah writes about is Jesus. My encouragement is to change the saying from “I am a lion, not a sheep” to “I am brave and fierce enough to be a shepherd to the sheep”. People who will help others to lay down in green pastures, let them enjoy the beauty of still waters, and lead them through tough times because they trust us and see out care for them.
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Took my breath away, Michael! Thank you.
Michael you are a man among men, that shows his servant heart, not only to lay with the sheep, but to help them just as God has intended us to do!!
I am grateful for your encouraging words.
So when I was first introduced to this concept, I thought it meant to follow and carve a path right for you and not do what everyone else is doing.
For me personally that meant my path must be walked in Faith, with integrity, and serving others. Doing business with kindness- love- and like minded folks who give back and are grateful souls.
The message has become something different or I didn’t understand it correctly. Michael, Your words are true and biblical.
I want to help others for I too have been helped, given second chances, and didn’t get here without being lifted up by others and by Gods grace.
I’m disappointed in the change of those I admired and introduced me to wonderful people. But I see many chasing fame, the title top dog, wealth , and compromising their values. They claim to read books like Outliers which clearly explains time and place play a significant role in our circumstances-yet they fail to give others opportunities to help others who weren’t so lucky.
I will not judge nor condemn others whose walk is different than mine. But that doesn’t mean I’ll continue to support them with my time or money. I will pray for them for they too are children of God.
Thank you Kelly
Good post Michael. We are always to be the sheep led by our shepherd, who is the only true lion. He is the Lion of Judah, we are not. We do not want to “go about like a roaring lion”, for those are pretenders who aren’t from Him. We are to follow the shepherd, not make our own way. I wrestle with this thought currently, have I wandered from where he would have me go, because I thought the grass looked good on a different mountain? Is He standing in front to nudge me back to the path?
Thanks Darryl. I so appreciate your thoughts. I hope you will choose to subscribe to the blog so you can receive email notifications when new content is posted.