Hello,
It is almost September, and we still have eight chickens!
Those of you who are regular Bungee Cord readers will remember that my
wife has decided to become a minor chicken farmer. A couple of years ago, she ordered six chicks of which three
were still alive last fall when they became stew fodder. Two of the first batch met an early death under the keen hunting
sense of our Gordon Setter, and another simply disappeared, hawk dinner we
suppose. The unfortunate thing
about these chickens’ demise was that they all met their maker under my
watch. They perished on a couple
of occasions when my wife went away for a weekend and left them to my care and
protection.
When we got this second batch of chickens, I resolved that I would
redeem my reputation at chicken tending, determined to make certain that not
even one these chickens would perish under my watchful care. Even though my wife has left me in
charge of them a couple of times, they live on. That is why I began this Bungee Cord with an exclamation: it
is almost September, and we still have eight chickens!
John 10:27ff says this, “My sheep hear my voice. I know
them, and they follow me. 28I
give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out
of my hand. 29What my Father has given me is
greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.* 30The
Father and I are one.’
As much zeal and determination that I have to care for my wife’s
chickens, it is clear to me that God’s zeal and determination to care for me is
far greater. I know that my
motivation to care for these chickens is wrapped up in pride and ego, and if my
dog should snag one of them, it will only be my pride and ego that is bruised. Jesus, however, tells us earlier in this
same chapter of John that it is heartfelt love that motivates his care of his
sheep, and if any one of them should perish, it would break his heart. So love-bound motivated is he that he
says he would lay down his life for his sheep….and he did!
I have kept these chickens safe from a pack of foxes. I have made sure that they were safely
in their coop at night, and I have kept watch on my dog when he is out and
pulled him away when he strikes his hunting pose. But I am easily distracted by baseball games, household
chores, and telephone calls, a distraction that just might prove deadly. Furthermore, if a coyote or bear was
seeking a chicken dinner, I know that I would graciously entertain their
wishes. Never would I lay down my
life for these (stupid) chickens.
So when I hear that Jesus has me as the apple of his eye (Psalm 17:8),
from which he is never distracted….and when I hear that Jesus neither slumbers
or sleeps in his watch over me (Psalm 121:4)….and when I hear that Jesus will
let nothing come between he and me
(Romans 8:38,39)…..I have great hope, hope in which I can rest safe and secure….absolutely
safe and secure…..which is far more than my chickens can say of the hope they
hold under my care.
Have a great week.
God’s grace and peace, (ggap)
Pastor Jerry Nuernberger
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