Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet? …you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord GOD.”
Ezekiel 34:18-19, 31
Lord Jesus, my soul rejoices this day knowing that I am one of Your sheep! My Good Shepherd, You feed me, leading me beside the still waters, making me to lie down in green pastures. It is indeed You that restores my soul! You are with me, daily confirming Your promise never to leave me nor forsake me. Your blessings overflow in every area of my life.
As You lead me in the paths that You would have me to go, supplying for needs and feeding my soul, help me not to muddy the waters that others must drink or trample the grass that others must eat. I confess that it is so easy for me to satisfy my thirst and hunger and leave nothing behind for others. In this “what’s in it for me” world that I live in I can get quickly caught up into doing what I can to take care of myself and forget that it is not all about me. Worse, in my carelessness, I can mess it up for those coming behind me.
Help me to walk in care, looking also to the needs of those who will be coming after me. Give me a heart and awareness to leave the places where You lead me better off than how I found them. Through me, leave Your fingerprints of love that others might know that they too are the sheep of Your pasture, and that You are providing for them even as You are providing for me. Help me not to look out just for myself, but also for others, demonstrating Your love in a tangible way that lives might be changed by You through me. Lord, through my overflow, make me to be the blessing You intend me to be in Your Name and to Your glory. Amen