Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a perfect morning to step into the Presence of my Perfect God and to read His Perfect Word. The sky isn’t blue and the sun isn’t bright but that doesn’t make it any less perfect to me. It’s always Beautiful from where I sit in Life and every day is a Blessing. That part has absolutely nothing to do with geography and everything to do with where I choose to be in the Journey of Faith. But, with a view like the one from the front porch, it’s hard to imagine that bad things are going on in the world all around me, and it’s not easy to understand how and why fear is so prevalent among God’s people. The perfect view from the front porch DOES help in calming my soul, but absolutely nothing compares to being in the Presence of my Perfect God…the One who scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name. He calls me by name…I am His…how could I fear? In these tumultuous times, it’s more important than ever for me to spend time with Him…to Acknowledge Him in all my ways so that He can direct my path…to do my Part to reach the lost…and to Battle like the Warrior I was Designed to be for my Perfect God. Isn’t that how you look at your Journey of Life these days too?

When I look at all that has taken place in the world over the last few years, I realize just how weak the flock is and why Jesus refers to us as “sheep.” Sheep aren’t the brightest beasts in the kingdom and without a shepherd, they don’t have sense enough to find their way without help. They’re jumpy and scared, and defenseless on their own – very similar to their human friends today. Although they don’t know much about survival, it’s when they hear the shepherd’s voice they instinctively know they are being watched over and they take notice because they’re too afraid not to – unlike their human friends today. What we’re seeing take place in the world today should come as no surprise to the Flock, but instead of listening out even MORE for the Voice of our Shepherd, we’re trading Truth for what we want to believe and we’re scattered (and divided) as a result.

In this divided world, each side is clinging to the truth they want to believe instead of the Perfect Truth of God’s Word, while each side points a finger at the other as they shout “liar!” The Future has already been written and the End is already Planned. All of it is being Managed by the God who sits on the Throne. He doesn’t make mistakes and He doesn’t change His mind but He’s always compassionate. He’s already told us what to Expect. We’ve already been warned about the trials and tribulations. His Word already told us that we would be divided while people exchange Truth for a lie! But we don’t need to be afraid like a furry sheep afraid of its own shadow because WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN EVERYTHING we need to fight the Battle. This is the Key to Peace and Perserence in the tumultuous world today.

I can see how it’s possible for people who THOUGHT they were headed to Heaven to hear “I never knew you” when they face the Perfect Sheperd One Day because I see how easily some have traded listening out for the Voice of the Shepherd for listening out for their manmade version of the truth. On that day those people will say “But Lord, we prophesied in your name…we healed your name” as if they can negotiate the terms of their Eternity. But the Sheperd knows the Heart of His flock and He sees behind the scenes. He sees when His sheep are filled with fear and He sees when they’re leaning on outside sources. He sees how His sheep hunger for the latest conspiracy update far more than they hunger for His Perfect Word. He sees when His sheep Bless and curse out of the same mouth those people made in His image, and He sees the hate fueling their belief system. Those poor sheep are just as pathetic as their furry friends in the field…completely lost and scattered and desperately in need of the Voice of the Shepherd. The biggest difference is that sheep KNOW the voice of their shepherd while the Perfect Shepherd’s flock is lost and His Voice has become so foreign to them that they don’t even recognize it anymore.

The sky isn’t blue and the sun isn’t bright this morning but it’s absolutely Perfect to me! I wish everybody could have what I have; a Peaceful beginning to a new day, an Unshakable Belief System, Unwavering Faith in the Perfect Shepherd, and Peace that surpasses all understanding in a lost world. Having what I have is not (just) a Blessing, it’s a choice. I choose to get my Predictions from the Word of God and I choose to take my Direction from His Spirit. I choose to stay laser-focused on the Perfect Word and my Perfect God and I choose to tune out all those set on stirring confusion and hate. I choose to do my Part to reach the Heart of the flock and I choose to share the Perfect Solution with the lost ones before it’s too late. He’s my rock. He’s my redeemer. He’s my hope. He’s my future…forever and ever, Amen!

How about you?