I'm OK

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:11-16 ESV). I'm OK, You're OK by Thomas Harris is one of the best selling self-help books ever published. It is promoted as a practical guide to Transactional Analysis as a method for solving problems in life. From its first publication during 1969, its popularity gradually increased until, during 1972, it made the best seller list and stayed there for almost two years. It is estimated by the publisher to have sold over 15 million copies to date and to have been translated into over a dozen languages. Somehow I don’t think the Apostle Paul ever read this book and yet he seems to have found the answer. In the midst of all his tribulations, he had an amazing calm in the midst of this storm. It is a lesson we should all learn. Perhaps the most important principle he learned was that he belonged to God. Our reading today is so clear about that truth. Over and over in Scripture, we are given the analogy of being in a relationship with God like that of a bride to a husband to whom she is deeply in love with. This reminds us of His affection and love toward us. But we are also given the analogy of a sheep belonging to a shepherd in our reading today. This reminds us of His constant care and awareness of our whereabouts. I must admit it's hard to be proud about being compared to a sheep. They are basically defenseless, vulnerable, dim-witted creatures. But when under the care of a loving shepherd, they are safe and content. I like that! There are many other images used in the Scripture. All of them point to the unalterable fact that God cares for us. Whether we are His bride, children, sheep, or property, the devil must respect that label. When you find yourself wondering if you’re OK, just remember that like Paul, you too can say, "I belong to God!" There is no safer position in all of creation.