I have been humbled these past couple days by being reminded that I take a lot of things for granted.  I threw my back out on Wednesday, July 19 and ended up at the chiropractor on the 20^th.  Things got worse Friday night and by Saturday I was in a lot of pain.  Back to the chiropractor I went (excuse my pun).  Putting my shoes and socks on turned out to be a difficult ordeal.  Everything I did last weekend required a lot of effort.  The day when I can bend down and tie my shoes again will be a joyous day.  Until then I will be wearing sandals.

Putting shoes and socks on with ease is something I have taken for granted.  What else do we take for granted?  Imagine not having something that you use or do everyday.  Imagine not having a car.  How would that change your life?  Would you still be able to keep your current job? Imagine not having a loving family.  How would that change your outlook?  Imagine not having a home.  How would you live and where?  There are many things we take for granted and we can’t imagine how we would survive without them.

Our Gospel text for Sunday July 23 came from Mark 6 and talked about Jesus out with the disciples trying to take some time off.  They crossed the lake and there they saw a large group of people waiting for them.  The text says that Jesus had compassion for them because they were, “like sheep without a shepherd.”  Imagine not having or not knowing Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd.  What would your life be like?  That is a scary thought, but there are people out there who for them this is their reality.  We take Jesus for granted.  We sit back and enjoy the salvation we have in Christ.  We bask in the freedom and hope that we have.  Everything is great, but everything is not great for everyone.  Not everyone knows Jesus as their Good Shepherd.  What can we do about that?  Well it’s easy…tell them about your Shepherd through words, deeds and actions.  Show people the hope that you have.  Display the love of Christ through serving and helping each other.  Invite someone out for coffee.  Bring them to worship.  Pray for them.  Be a friend.

Survey the world around you and notice those who do not know Christ as their Good Shepherd.  Not sure who they are or if they know?  Assume they don’t.  Don’t take it for granted.  Show them Christ anyway because what will it hurt?  We take a lot of things in life for granted but let’s not take Jesus for granted.  Your neighbor can not afford that.  Let’s not leave people as “sheep without a shepherd.”  Let’s announce to the world (around you) that Jesus Christ is Lord of all.  Praise be to God and Amen! -EDH-