In our modern society, most people have never been around or worked with sheep. Those who  are familiar with sheep, however, can tell you there are two basic sheep personalities: those which understand the protection of their shepherd and will follow him anywhere, and those that are rebellious, wild and just plain dumb. A common saying among sheep raisers is that it seems some sheep wake up and look for ways to die.

With this basic understanding of the two personalities that sheep tend to have, you must ask yourself: “Which type of sheep am I?”

It is well known that the Bible uses the sheep as a teaching tool for how to live life. Jesus is portrayed as a shepherd and we are His sheep. He said that His sheep know His voice and will follow Him where He leads them. It’s obvious that this is the type of sheep we want to be. John 10 illustrates the type of shepherd Jesus Christ is: one who does everything He can for His sheep. He calls them by name and leads them (verse 3), He gives them pasture (verse 9) and He even laid down His life for them (verse 11). Christ makes it quite clear that He is the good shepherd and we know that He, just as the Father, will not go back on His promises.

Hosea 4:16 gives an example of the type of sheep we don’t want to be: “For Israel is stubborn like a stubborn calf [or sheep]; Now the LORD will let them forage like a lamb in open country.” Out of their stubbornness, they refused to follow God, even though God made great promises to them if they would follow His ways (Deuteronomy 4:1). Unfortunately they did not heed God’s instruction and therefore reaped the consequences of the curse spelled out in the Law of Moses (Daniel 9:8-11).

So you have a choice to make: Will you choose to hear and follow your Shepherd, knowing that everything He does is for our benefit? Or will you wake up looking for ways to die by following after the lust of the world? He knows your name, protects you from danger and He gave His life so that you can ultimately have yours in the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ has promised you eternal life, but the choice is yours to make.