From what well are you drinking from

How often have you reached a place of being dry and barren, where the constant struggle and effort to keep going become overwhelming? How often do you feel like you simply can't carry on, want to give up, or run away? How often is that temptation too strong, that burden too heavy, and that situation too impossible? How often have you reached the end of your tether and are about to take the last straw that breaks the camel's back?

Is this not the constant condition of life at times, where your very existence seems impossible, the opposition too strong, and the ground too dry and contaminated? Yes, I'm painting a bleak picture here, but how often have you been there, how often have you found yourself in the midst of the impossible, the barren, the wilderness without hope, relief or respite? Maybe you are there right now.

We have all been there, as this reflects the condition of humanity most of the time, yet we are called to the abundant life. In the Gospel of John 10:10, Jesus says, “the thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that you may have life and that you may have it more abundantly.” And what did Jesus come for? He came for his sheep, and he came to give his life for the sheep because he is the Good Shepherd. And how is that linked to the abundant life? Well, no matter what we face, we have a Good Shepherd who has already laid down his life for us. He is the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep, and his sheep know him.

And what is our response to that truth? If we are shepherded by the Good Shepherd who looks after his sheep by putting their needs first, then shouldn't we be grateful that this is the case?

It's time to lift our eyes above our circumstances and draw from the well of thankfulness and trust in the Good Shepherd, who has prepared for us abundant life, a place of green pastures and still waters. Offer him your sacrifice of praise, rise above your circumstances, and give him your worship and your all. He will gather you, care for you, feed you, and water you. Stop drinking from the barren well of hopelessness. Instead, turn your eyes to the Good Shepherd, who knows you by name, sees you, and responds with the promise of abundant life.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:10-11 

 I am the Good Shepherd, and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 

As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:14-15 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.   He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23