We have a Good Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11 ESV

In a story aired by Tampa Bay News 13 Monday, dramatic dashcam footage from a Florida Highway Patrol SUV shows the moment a trooper put herself in harm's way in order to protect thousands of runners from a suspected DUI driver who plowed through a series of roadblocks. FHP said 52-year-old Kristen Kay Watts of Sarasota slammed into Master Trooper Toni Schuck's SUV on Sunday morning, leaving Schuck, 47, with serious injuries, after ignoring a series of roadblocks in place for the annual Skyway 10K. "There’s no telling what would have happened had that vehicle actually reached all of those runners. The bottom line is these troopers saved dozens upon dozens of lives and saved even more people from serious bodily harm injury," said Trooper Watson. FHP said Schuck prevented a tragedy by directly putting herself in harm's way in order to prevent others from getting hurt or killed. Thankfully, Schuck, who suffered a head injury and a concussion in the accident, is back home and resting with her family.

And you know, not everyone whose job it is to 'protect and serve' would have put their life on the line like Shuck did to save someone else. She takes her job very seriously and obviously loves the people she serves. Similarly, a hired hand who tends sheep for the money would most likely not put their life on the line to save the sheep. But a good shepherd would because a good shepherd loves his flock and takes his job to 'protect' them very seriously. Isn't that such a beautiful picture of Jesus? He is the Good Shepherd who loves His sheep (that's you and me) so much that He would "lay down his life" for them.

So if this world has you beat down and wondering whether you're worthy of love today my friend, let me assure you that you are. The Good Shepherd laid down His life for you on the Cross at Calvary not because He had to but because He wanted to. And the best part? He is coming back soon to take His flock home.

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us just how much You love us. It's so hard to fathom how the Creator of the universe would care to know our names much less send His one and only Son to die for us. But that's what You did. Help us to show our appreciation for this by loving and serving others in the same way the Good Shepherd did for us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!