I am linking with the Internet Cafe to share God’s Word with a photo.  I also wanted to connect it with an analogy that just played out before my eyes.

Yesterday my daughter and I had to add a lot of pine shavings to our chicken pens due to the amount of rain in our area.

Our largest flock (the Rhode Island Reds) had a MESS in their pen so I decided to utilize their new runner and allow them to enter what was once a dog pen.  The top isn’t covered, so there was nothing other than me to keep a hawk from swooping down for a tasty treat.

It brought me great joy to see these chickens come to my voice and explore some new ground.   (I can only imagine the joy it must bring the Lord when we follow His Voice.)  They began pecking and scratching the second their feet hit the new grass.

They pecked, scratched, and looked around with great joy!  Surely this was chicken bliss!  Fresh moist soil to scratch!  I even witnessed one hen grab a bee out of the air and swallow it whole!  Manna from heaven for chickens.

Four hens missed out on the blessing.  They didn’t follow my voice and remained in their wet, stinky pen.

How many blessings do we miss because WE don’t follow our Shepherd’s Voice?   How many times do WE “disown” Jesus by ignoring His gentle promptings?  Perhaps we don’t deny/disown Him like Peter … or do we?

I am as guilty as the next person.  I still have areas in my life that need healing, yet I remain where I am.  Patching issues here and there.  Ahead of me are God’s Promises provided in His Word (just like the lush green grass), but the choice is mine to pursue Truth, Life, and Healing. The choice is Yours too!

There were risks involved in conquering this new ground.   I was the only protector between the chickens and the family of hawks who live behind our pasture.  They took a chance by following my voice.  They didn’t know where they were going or what they would face, but they recognized my voice as their provider — they trusted me.

John 10:3
To Him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear His voice; and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.

The hens (and Oscar the rooster) were blessed by their obedience to follow my voice.

John 10:27
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Yesterday was the perfect analogy of the blessings ahead of us if we would only follow our Father’s Voice!  Sometimes the walk is long and may even be dirty … just like this runner.

But I know from past victories that the perceived “risk” is worth it!

The road to victory may push us beyond our comfortable boundaries.  We may have to face fears or things we would rather not view, but the price for our freedom has already been paid in full!  Jesus has purchased our freedom!

John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Are there areas of your life that you wallow in stinky filth though there are greener pastures just ahead?

Are you willing to trust the Voice of the Shepherd?

For more photos with God’s Word, please click on the button below.  If you want to join my 5 year blogoversary giveaway, click HERE.

Have a blessed Wednesday everyone!

(Photo credit:  My rooster and hens)