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Shepherding is that strangely wonderful, yet painful experience we all have need of. Still, when we read in Psalm 23 about the Lord being our Shepherd, we think immediately of provision, protection, peace, and any number of adjectives that have to do with comfort.
While comfort is certainly a benefit of serving the Lord, we need to remember that comfort isn't the Lord's ultimate goal for us. Rather, it is learning to be comfortable even in the midst of uncomfortable situations. Such comfort doesn't come from a denial of our circumstances, or from working really hard to achieve the comfort we desire. Rather, it comes from knowing the One who is the source of all comfort.
When reading Psalm 23, it is interesting to note that His "rod and staff" which "comfort(s)" us, isn't simply a weapon used to protect the sheep (though, it certainly has that function). But it also serves as an instrument of correction and of guidance to keep us on the right path. This, unfortunately, is where many [sheep] miss the point and get offended by the shepherd's efforts at guidance. The problem is, like sheep, we want what we want when we want it.
The goal of the shepherd, of course, is not to inflict pain for the sake of pain. Rather, sometimes pain is what is needed to guide us back onto the path God has designed for us. I have even heard the story of how a shepherd, who has a problem with a sheep who strays, will go so far as to break its legs in order protect it from the danger its wanderings would inevitably lead to.
To be sure, there are those shepherds who are only so in title, but obviously don't love those in their care. But in most cases, the shepherd does love their sheep but lacks the understanding of how to handle correction/guidance in the right way. They know they need to be firm, but are also afraid of confrontation or hurting the [sheep's] feelings. As John Maxwell wrote in a recent article, "Balancing care with candor", "Care without candor creates dysfunctional relationships. Candor without care creates distant relationships. But care balanced with candor creates developing relationships" (see the full article at http://bit.ly/i86mLZ).
Ultimately, if a shepherds gentle nudging is heeded, the need for extreme measures is negated. This is why it is so important that we trust our Shepherd; knowing that He has our ultimate good in mind (see Jeremiah 29:11).
The trick, then, is to make sure we know THE Shepherd's voice. Spending time with Him will breed a familiarity with His voice such, that we will know which way to go, and keep from following our, or anyone else's plans for us.
On this Christmas season, let us all remember that God definitely has His way of doing things which rarely end up going the way we think they will. Even His coming to this world the way He did; as a slave, rather than the king He is; serving others, rather than demanding to be served; ultimately dying for our sins, proves God is not a God we can figure out. But... God is a God we can trust, and He truly does have our best interests at heart, even when it seems otherwise (see Proverbs 3:5-6).
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perry meade
