To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:3 ESV)
When I was a child, kids in school called me a really mean name, “Ocie Cow.” It became my identity, and I hated it–hated myself.
But Jesus never called me by a shameful name–not Ocie Cow or any other. Jesus, who knows my heart, knows my sin and selfishness and pride. The perfect one, the only one who has a right to name me an ugly name–he calls me beloved.
My shepherd knows my true name. He opens himself to me intimately, allowing me to know his voice. Imagine that. How his welcoming me to know him makes me hunger for his Word, the preached Word, prayer, meditation. Not to be a dutiful sheep, but because the shepherd loves me. His tender love makes me love him ever more and more.
Furthermore, he “leads me out.” But first the shepherd had to become the lamb, paying a high price for my new name. Suffering on that cursed tree, he claimed me as his lamb–me? “Ocie Cow” can be Jesus’s treasured lamb?
Oh yes. And so can you, friend.
Why? Because he loves you like there’s no tomorrow.
Rest in his great love this day and every day.
Ocieanna
Books by Ocieanna
