The Little Things

A natural enemy of sheep are flies. At certain times of the year, they swarm around the sheep and lay eggs in the warm, moist nasal mucous membranes. Those eggs turn into larvae, crawl through the nasal passages into the head of the sheep and burrow into the flesh. As you can imagine, the sheep are driven into a frenzy with pain and irritation. Many times, you see sheep head butting trees or rocks for relief. Sheep have been known to kill themselves through their attempts at relief.

Isn't it amazing how the little things in life are the most irritating? In the Church, it's a shame that little things can become so important and irritating. Many of the fractures that occur within a church are over mountains that have been made from mole hills.

A shepherd will use a homemade remedy of olive oil, sulfur and tar to anoint the head of a sheep. This concocture will serve as an insect repellent and will help keep the flies from the defenseless sheep.

In Psalm 23:5, David reminds us that the Good Shepherd anoints our head with oil as an antidote to stress and the effects of hurt and bitterness. The oil serves as a balm, soothing and healing hurt from the irritants of our life.

When we've experienced hurt, we're called to forgive. But forgiveness doesn't automatically erase the pain. We need restoration, and the deeper the wound, the longer the process can take. Go to the Good Shepherd today and ask for the oil of healing and restoration. Believe in the promise from the Psalmist when he wrote "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."