Follow the Leader

The following comes from my book, MORE Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals. In 2005 in the town of Gavas in eastern Turkey, a sheep from a large flock walked to the edge of a cliff and jumped to its death. A second sheep imitated the first and leaped off the cliff. Then a third sheep followed. Then a fourth. Then a fifth. And they kept following until the entire flock was gone.

The Associated Press reported the Turkish shepherds had left the flock so they could go eat breakfast. Nearly 1,500 sheep followed their woolly leader over the same cliff, one at a time. In the end, 450 sheep died and 1,050 survived, but only because the survivors were saved as the pile of sheep kept getting higher. Like a big fluffy pillow, the mountain of fleeces cushioned the late-jumpers fall. They didn’t know any better because they were sheep without a shepherd.

That’s what happens when shepherds are more interested in taking care of their stomachs than taking care of their sheep. When Jesus saw the multitudes of people, He had compassion for them because they were “like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36).

It’s no accident Jesus compared people with sheep. Sheep will blindly follow other sheep, even if it kills them. Isaiah said, “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). That’s why we need to follow a wise shepherd who will lead us through the difficulties of life. We need to follow a good shepherd who knows what’s best for us.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish” (John 10: 11, 27-28). The Good Shepherd will lead you to green pastures. Following wayward sheep will lead you over a cliff.

Jesus is our spiritual Leader, but we also have government leaders. PLEASE VOTE THIS TUESDAY!  This election will determine which LEADER will make crucial decisions that will affect your life for the next 4 years and beyond. Examine the past POLICIES of each candidate. Which of the policies (national & local candidates) align with biblical principles? Elections are usually very close, and your vote may make the difference on who will be the next LEADER.

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