What do you want?  

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.   Psalm 23:1

Hidden in the names of God are various dimensions in which men have encountered Him. While some of His names are very specific, there are a few names that seem to be multidimensional, one of which is His name, Shepherd. A shepherd leads, guides, protects, and keeps his sheep. In examining the leadership of a shepherd, we see that the Shepherd can lead the sheep to different destinations. This means that, as our Shepherd, Jesus can lead us to experience healing, provision, love, deliverance, victory, encounters, revelation, peace, fruitfulness, etc. Our Shepherd can lead us to experience different dimensions in Him. 

But before He begins to lead us, there are a couple of questions He desires answers to. The first is “ What do you want? ”. Every journey begins with a destination in mind. And Jesus our Shepherd teaches us to ask Him in prayer for whatever we desire. When blind Bartimaeus called out to Jesus asking for mercy, Jesus turned to Him and asked “What do you want me to do for you?” Mark 10:52. The same is true for each of us. We must be clear about what we want. What do you desire? What do you want?

“What do you want”  seems like an easy question, but most when we go to God in prayer, we do not spend time thinking through what exactly we desire. We sometimes tend to pray not just for what we desire but also stating how we want it done. For example, Jane goes to God and prays           “Lord pls give me money to buy a car”.  Brian goes to God, asking for a second job, so he can save money to buy a car. Both of them have the same need – a car. However, they have prayed not only asking for what they desire but telling God how to provide for them. This is the challenge. As our Shepherd, Jesus says, “I get to decide how I want to answer your prayer, I determine the route via which I lead you to provision. Your responsibility is to ask according to your desire, but it is my responsibility to lead you through the best route to your place of provision, where you lack nothing.” In our example, both Jane and Brain should simply ask God for a car, and allow Him to decide how He’ll answer and grant their request. Do not limit God in your prayers, give Him the liberty to blow your mind, and allow Him to bring you answers in a way only He can.

The second question our Shepherd desires an answer to is: “Can you trust me?” After you have asked in prayer, can you trust that I will bring you to that place of the provision you desire?  In between the phrases “ The Lord is my Shepherd” and “I shall not want” is the journey to provision. Jesus as our shepherd is always willing to lead us but the question is  “Can we  trust Him  enough to follow Him, as He leads us to the place where we want nothing?” Trust is needed to follow our Shepherd because His ways are higher than ours. Many times our minds would not be able to understand how this pathway would lead us to our desired destination. This is why following Him requires that we trust Him and lean not on our understanding. Following Him and trusting is not an easy task, however, following Him allows us to experience transformation. On this journey faith is built. On this journey, we learn to die to self, allowing God’s life in us to find expression. On this journey growth happens, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. This journey prunes us and builds us. Even though sometimes intense, there is a sure guarantee that everyone who follows to the end will get to the place where they lack nothing. God keeps His word. 

A good example of Jesus as our Shepherd, leading us to provision is seen in John 2:1-12: the wedding in Cana. At the wedding in Cana, they had run out of wine and Mary went to Jesus, seeking His help. When she got to him, she did not say “Give me money to buy wine”. She did not say “Can you multiply the last bottle of wine we have?” Mary identified what was needed, and she asked Jesus for it –  wine.  Jesus as shepherd then decided how he was going to grant her request. He led the servants through a series of instructions that brought them to a place of provision where they had wine. This is how He functions as a Shepherd.  

As Jesus gave the instructions, I wonder how the servants felt and the thoughts they had in their minds as they obeyed.” Fill the water pots”, they did just that. Next instruction: Take a glass, get water from the water pot, and take it to the master of the ceremony. I wonder what they thought as they obeyed. Were they scared? Were they curious? Did they think Jesus was crazy? Regardless of their thoughts, they obeyed.  I also cannot help but wonder about the looks, the smiles, and the awe on their faces when the master of the ceremony responded to the awesome taste of this wine. 

As you follow, it will not always make logical sense. Don’t quit because of the confusion and uncertainty. Follow him through it. There are many times that the journey will be marked by uncertainties, many times we might be tempted to ask where is He?  Am I still on track? Have I lost my way? Are you still there? But I am learning that even when it seems dark and uncertain, He is still there. Even when we no longer understand the way, we can trust the one who’s leading. Trust that He is leading you to make the right choices, trust that He is leading you even though it does not feel like it. If you have communicated your want, then don’t stop following until you get there. He is leading even when you cannot see how. Trust Him, He will lead you and bring you to your expected end. The Lord is your Shepherd, You shall not want!