【双语灵修】表现得像羊那样窘迫ACTING SHEEPISH

诗篇 23:1-3

耶和华是我的牧者，我必不致缺乏。 他使我躺卧在青草地上，领我在可安歇的水边。 他使我的灵魂苏醒，为自己的名引导我走义路。

7月3日

表现得像羊那样窘迫

“我们都如羊走迷，各人偏行己路……。” -赛 53:6

羊需要特别的照顾。它们需要被领到平静的水源，因为它们不能从急湍的溪流中安全地喝水。它们不懂得预测青草会在何时被吃光，又不知道甚么时候需要迁到新的草场。地上往往有毒蛇可以藏身的洞穴，但羊却不会怀疑它们可能会被蛇咬到。

我们同样也需要特别的照顾。我们并不能常常预测到前面的危险和挑战，也不能常常作出明智的抉择。在管理我们的资源和日常生活时，我们往往不能好好掌控自己的步伐。我们很容易便精疲力尽、魂游象外―这些都可令我们误入歧途。

当然，我们还有其他地方像羊一样。我们很容易便会被牧羊人以外的其他人或事情分散注意力，毕竟有那么多亮丽和诱人的事情会令我们分心。社交媒体、电视、购物和其他事物，都能分散我们的注意力，以及引领我们前往看来诱人但却不能满足我们的草场。

诗篇的作者提醒我们，当我们跟随耶和华我们的牧者时，我们便会一无所缺，祂的供应能满足我们的心灵，但我们有责任去跟随祂。

近日，你曾在哪些方面表现得像羊那样窘迫呢？

祷告

慈爱的牧者，当我们不定睛在祢身上时，求祢赦免我们。又求祢驱除任何妨碍我们全心跟随祢的事物。阿们。

Psalm 23:1-3

THURSDAY, JULY 3

ACTING SHEEPISH

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way. . . . —Isaiah 53:6

Sheep need particular care. They need to be led to still waters because they can’t drink safely from fast-moving streams. They can’t predict when the grass will run out and when they need to move to new pastures. Often there are holes in the ground that dangerous snakes can shelter in, and sheep do not suspect that they could be bitten.

We need special care as well. We can’t always predict the dangers and challenges ahead; nor do we always make wise choices. We don’t always pace ourselves well when it comes to managing our resources and our day-to-day living. We are prone to burning out and tuning out—both of which can lead us astray.

Of course there are other ways in which we are like sheep. We are easily distracted by anyone or anything besides the shepherd. So many shiny and alluring things draw our attention. Social media, TV, shopping, and other things can distract and lead us into pastures that may look inviting but don’t satisfy.

The psalm writer reminds us that when we follow the Lord our shepherd, we will lack nothing and that his provisions are soul satisfying. But we are responsible to follow.

In what ways might you have acted sheepish lately?

Forgive us, loving Shepherd, when we don’t keep our eyes on you. Push away any distractions that keep us from fully following you. Amen.