Just BE with Jesus: the Door

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. (Psalm 69:13)

Read John 10:1-10

In Biblical times, sheepfolds were usually round stone enclosures. A gap in the circular shape allowed the sheep to go in and out. At night the shepherd would sit or lie across the entrance. So when Jesus declared, “I am the door of the sheep,” his listeners probably pictured a shepherd in the entrance to a sheepfold.

When I ask the Lord to be the Door, I acknowledge his wisdom and his control over my circumstances. I imagine sheep trying to sneak around the shepherd, not realizing that he knows of danger lurking outside. Psalm 121 calls the Lord our "keeper" (verse 5), and I thank the Lord for keeping me where he wants me to be.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep…I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:7 & 9)
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. 
(Psalm 121:8)
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:5)

Like a wise and loving shepherd,
you offer me protection
and rest
and wider horizons.
you know my needs better than I do.

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "keep."

photo credit: Kappadokien via photopin (license)