"When we find ourselves lost, instinct tells us to search for higher ground. From a greater vantage point, we may get our bearings more easily than we would in the valley right in the thick of things. As we look abroad, we long for something familiar to give us direction. Depending on how far we have strayed from safety, we may or may not see what we seek. Even if we do receive greater insight to how we got lost, where we currently are, and possibly where we need to go, it may not always be the easiest to find our way back to that safety on our own especially from high vantage points. Some may find themselves in rather precarious and dangerous circumstances and are in desperate need of aid.

Fortunately for us, our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, is about looking for His lost sheep. He has descended to the lowest valley and ascended to the highest precipice. He knows the territory as well as the way back to the safety of the flock. Our Shepherd does not come unarmed. The crook of truth protects Him and His sheep from predators as well as aids Him on His own journey through the wilderness keeping His own feet sure as He calls after the lost.

Upon finding us in our destitute state, He beckons to us to follow Him. In His attempt to rescue, He pulls us back to His sure path if we do not resist His crook. Truth and correction in those tough circumstances is often difficult to take, but it is ultimately the most loving thing the Shepherd can do, for it can save the sheep from greater dangers faced alone. Encircled about with His truth, we are brought back to His loving arms and led back to safety."

Reproduced from the artist's digital file created with Photoshop and Photography. Created 2024.