What are your greatest concerns in life? Maybe this is a question that many of us have found ourselves pondering these weeks. Having our sense of “normal” shaken up will do that for us. Perhaps this time has been one of realizing how much we really appreciate the people we cannot be near, or the things we cannot do at the moment. Perhaps we see with greater clarity some things we would rather not continue doing.
Jesus is very clear about his concerns. “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” His heart is entirely invested in his sheep—that’s to say, us—to the point of giving his life for them. He is not like the hired worker whose ultimate concern is money.
Whatever our new normal is becoming, may it lead us to loving with a pure and undivided heart the one who is the shepherd of our hearts.