Our Steadfast Shepherd

The eighth ‘word of the year’ painting, inspired by the word 'steadfast'. Steadfast means: resolutely, dutifully, firm, and unwavering. I LOVE using these words to describe the Savior. Our steadfast shepherd. Unwavering, dutiful, guarding His little flock through cloud or sunshine, in whatever weather comes, in every storm, in every landscape. He is constant.

I’m not sure why I love images of Jesus as the shepherd so much. Maybe it’s because it is such a beautiful and accurate analogy to me for how Christ is in our lives. Often these sheep don’t even realize how important their shepherd is. Pretty much all of the sheep in this painting are busy grazing. They aren’t paying attention to the storm clouds approaching. They are oblivious to how much work the shepherd is putting into keeping them safe. A lot of the time they aren’t even aware of His constant, gentle presence. The sheep don’t fully realize what a taxing, exhausting, and often boring job it must be to watch over a flock so large.

How much are we like these sheep? So focused on all the things we think are important. Meanwhile, He is our steadfast shepherd. Watching over us, never abandoning us. Keeping watch over our lives and never leaving despite how oblivious we may be to His presence and everything He is doing for us. There are many sheep in this painting. He knows each of them perfectly. He knows each of us perfectly. He is a personal shepherd to each of us. Our steadfast shepherd. In life, people leave, relationships end, trials begin, change happens, hearts get broken. The one thing that remains steadfast is Him.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me” John 10:14

Reproduced from the artist’s original artwork of Mixed Media on Paper.