Its been awhile! I'm not even sure anyone blogs any more. I love writing shorter devotionals on Facebook for different groups, or just my friends. But today's thoughts were longer than I would want to write on a short Facebook post.
As a separate point before I get to the devotional, over the last year I have been reading a devotional book by Chris Tiegreen, Praying in Faith. I normally don't like devotional books because they can be shallow but his are so good. And it was just what I needed over the last year that has been difficult (that's for another post another day). But I realized recently that as good as it was, I missed being in the Word of God. I would read a verse here and there, but I missed being all in, in a chapter or book. I've read through the Bible with a group of ladies the last few years, and I realized that I missed hearing God's word directly to me. So I jumped back in, and started with the book of John. Now to today's thoughts.
John 10 today, and the first half is Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He was trying to describe himself to these people in terms they would understand (but they still didn't.) He describes how the shepherd leads his sheep and they know his voice, how the shepherd guards the gate and goes ahead of them to lead them. The good shepherd would lay down his life for his sheep, unlike the hired hand who would run away if a wolf came to attack.
John 10:10 is right in the middle "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I memorized that verse in Seminary for a class, and I've turned to it in hard times. But in my head I envisioned a thief coming into my house or my car. I envisioned the devil following me around and taking my joy, comfort, peace. And all of that is a true picture of what the thief does. BUT...
This verse in context is talking about the shepherd and the sheep! The thief sneaks into the pasture to steal and kill the sheep. The good shepherd guards the pasture from the thief, the wolf. Its a metaphor of SHEEP. And when I started thinking of it that way, all the other verses where God's word talks about sheep starting popping in my head. Matthew 18 says the shepherd would leave the 99 to go after the one dumb sheep who wanders away. Psalm 23 talks beautifully about the shepherd who leads the sheep to green pastures, quiet waters, down the right paths. He comforts the sheep with his rod and staff. He prepares a table for them in the presence of their enemies. And that is what it means to have a full life. Other versions of John 10:10 say abundant life, fullest measure, a life that is full and good. God's Word Translation says "A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need."
Jesus came to give us life! To have green pastures, quiet waters, comfort, rest and life to the fullest! The thief will come after us, life will not always be quiet and calm, but Jesus can bring us peace and rest even in the midst of hard times. And He is our shepherd, guarding us from the thief, leading us away from the dangerous places if we will listen to his voice.
While reading that was encouraging, I got more excited about reading that one verse in context and then thinking how other parts of scripture went with it. God's word is living and active. It all goes together. He repeats himself often because we aren't the sharpest. He wants us to read his love letter to us, listen to his voice and live the abundant life he has for us! 
