All We Like Sheep: On Living Together

“Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.” Ps 100:3

I recently had a chance to stay in a little cottage by the sea. It was a small, simple, comfortable home set right off the water. However, between the house and the sea, there was a pasture. It was sectioned off into smaller lush green grassy plots. The center section had long grass. The grass in the section off to the left, yet still in front of the cottage, was shorter as a small flock of sheep had settled there.

As I looked more closely, it appeared that not only had the sheep been set apart for this particular lot of pasture, but they also seemed to be grouped intentionally. It was a small community of mothers and lambs. Some lambs stayed close to their moms. Some liked to hang out in pairs with other lambs. They were especially fun to watch. Often, one would start to leap toward another. It was almost as if it was still learning how its feet could work. There was a delightful energy in their steps. It looked a little like skipping, sheep-style, with a little kick added in. There was a sense of joy in the playfulness the little lambs shared with one another.

As I watched those sheep, I had an even greater appreciation for their shepherd. I never saw a shepherd while I was there, but clearly there was one caring for these sheep. The shepherd had thoughtfully placed the sheep in a lush green pasture that was just the right size for both grazing and community. It was a safe place.

Something else occurred to me that I had never thought of before - the importance of community for sheep. The shepherd made a way for them to care for one another. Mothers were available to provide comfort, guidance, and companionship. The lambs were provided with playmates to help them learn, explore, and enjoy one another's company in their everyday lives together.

Sheep are communal creatures. They need each other to survive and thrive. If a sheep is separated from the flock, it causes panic. We learn in the Bible that a good shepherd will leave 99 of his sheep to find one that is lost. (Lk 15:4) A sheep will not trust itself. In fact, a sheep will not go where it cannot see. When a shepherd sends a sheepdog to run ahead, the flock will see the dog and follow. When a shepherd physically turns a wayward sheep’s head so they can see the flock, they see and will follow. They need each other, and they need a shepherd.

The early church father, Basil, said: “When we live in isolation, what we have is unavailable and what we lack is unprocurable.” We, too, are communal creatures, made to survive and thrive together.  Our shepherd has set green pastures before us - places to live and work and find what we need as we live with others. But the shepherd does not control us. We are free to roam and make choices.  The shepherd has provided a way for us to thrive. He has given us each other, and He has given us guidelines for living.

It is so helpful to know that we are like sheep and that we have a good, loving shepherd who cares for us. Have you considered how our shepherd has intentionally gathered us together to care for one another? What is it that you can offer to others? Could others find comfort, guidance, or companionship from you? Could others find delight in going through everyday life with you? Could you help those who have wondered or lost their way by being someone they can look to and see, helping them find their way?

Jesus shows us the way to a full and flourishing life. He tells us: “Love one another, as I have loved you.” (1)

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1. Jn 13:34-35