In Silver Linings, Terry Lees shares two stories about the Good Shepherd.

One story is about a priest teaching a group of young children about the Good Shepherd, while the second recounts a Shakespearean actor who would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23 with the incredible ability to bring the verse to life.

Terry poses a question aimed at the listeners of Silver Linings: What is the Good Shepherd calling you to do?

Listen to the episode below, or continue on to read the transcript.

Episode Transcript:

There’s a story about a priest teaching a group of young children about the Good Shepherd. He told the children that sheep weren’t smart, needed lots of guidance, and that a shepherd’s job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off and doing dumb things that would get them hurt or killed. He told the children said that they were the sheep and needed lots of guidance. The priest then put his hands out to the side, palms up in a dramatic gesture, and with raised eyebrows said to the children, “If you are the sheep then who is the shepherd?” He was obviously indicating himself. A silence of a few seconds followed. Then a young child said, “Jesus, Jesus is the shepherd.” The young priest, obviously caught by surprise, said to the boy, “Well, then, who am I?” The little boy frowned thoughtfully and then said with a shrug, “I guess you must be a sheep dog.”

There was once a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man shows of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23. Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation of “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…” the crowd would listen attentively, and then, at the conclusion of the Psalm, they wold rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor’s incredible ability to bring the verse to life.

But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up. “Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23?” The actor was quite taken back by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and centre on the stage to recite the Psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent.

With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the Psalm. When he was finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man’s recitation that every eye was full of tears. Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, “I don’t understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training – but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?” The young man quietly replied, “Well sir, you know the Psalm… I know the Shepherd.”

The Good Shepherd leads us to green pastures where we can find peace. If we are nourished by his Word, by prayer and meditation, we need not be concerned about today and tomorrow. The Shepherd leads us on his path. With loving concern he searches for the sheep that have wandered, and brings them back. The Shepherd does not drive his flock – he leads them on the path of life. What is the Good Shepherd calling you to do? Shepherd, now, others in need as they stumble on their dark road. Today: I unite my heart with those in gloomy valleys. 

Look for the Silver Lining.

This is Terry Lees

[Music: Go Tell it on the Mountain – Johnny Reid]