Woolly wanderings:
A sensible sheep

Last summer it was reported that Chris and Jilly, a couple of walkers, were on the coast path near Woolacombe, Devon and spotted a sheep that had strayed close to the shoreline and was about to be cut off by the tide. It was being hit by the waves, wet through and exhausted from clinging on a small ledge.
 
In a 30-minute rescue mission, Chris, an experienced climber, clambered down, lifted the hundredweight creature onto his shoulders and scrambled back over the jagged rocks away from the foaming waves to safety on higher ground.
 
In photographs taken by Jilly, the sheep does not look its best with legs flopping, but remained calm and still. Chris later remarked that there is only one thing worse than carrying a wet sheep over the rocks, and that is to carry a struggling wet sheep over the rocks. The rescue was successful because the sheep didn’t struggle but, exhausted, just allowed itself to be lifted and carried.
 
So often we get ourselves into difficult situations; we struggle and then make excuses to justify our woeful predicament or seek to protect the image we wish to portray to others.
 
In Bible stories, the Good Shepherd is often shown carrying a cooperative, young, recently washed sheep. The reality is that a caring shepherd helps the usual type of sheep, those that are stupid, dirty, tangled and awkward.
 
Christ came to rescue mankind, not the good, but sinners who know that they are in trouble, those who are stupid, dirty, tangled and awkward. He invites us as we are to respond to His presence and support even though we have been stupid. 
 
Christ’s invitation to us in our uncertainty and confusion is well summarised in the gospel song which says it all:
 
Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
Oh Lamb of God I come!
 
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict and many a doubt;
Fightings within and fears without,
O Lamb of God I come!
 
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come!
 
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come!
 
Like the Woolacombe sheep, when offered rescue we need to come to our Saviour in penitence, without excuse or explanation, because He understands where we are coming from, rather than fighting to justify ourselves.
 
We may like to think that the Woolacombe woolly wanderer has now learnt its lesson. I wonder!