Haydel’s Challenge

They took two this time and this young shepherd was running out of options. He didn’t know what to do. And when his father returned from business in the city in 2 weeks, would he have any sheep left? Worry rolled off his head in big fat drops of sweat. He wrung his hands and thought, this was going to be a very tough winter.  If only wolves didn’t have a taste for sheep.  Or, if only these were lambs that maybe…ate wolves. 

This journey of life has us as sheep being constantly stalked by a wolf that can sniff us out of a primary school playground, a church congregation, a university class, a cubicle office. The mission, target the weakest and pursue them relentlessly. Pick them off, one by one. The enemy plots our life, recording all of the weak points as we grow and mature. Seeing where, not knowing a father has left open wounds. Or where having an ever present father, became its own burden. He sees where we lost our way in college, trying to figure out our salvation amidst endless temptations. Every weakness of the lamb is known to the wolf.  But do you know what the wolf’s greatest fear is? The lambs that eat wolves. These are the sheep that even if they are on the edges of the flock they have no anxieties. These are the sheep whose fear is non-existent. These are they that are totally focused on making it Home, no matter where they happen to graze that day. 

Regardless of their innate weaknesses, these sheep will never be captured by the enemy. They are prepared for the long haul. The marathon of life could be lined with wolves on every side. But these lambs are the wolf-eaters. Though they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fearlessness is their shield and focus is their sword. Take on your armor wolf-eater, for the night be full of terrors. The Spirit of the living God will always go before you. Though your weaknesses may feel ever present, resist the urge to be depressed and keep it moving. Your steps are fueled by the Word and ordered by the most powerful Being in the known universe. Go forth into the darkest of nights. You WILL be attacked on every side but never forget…you may be a vegetarian sheep but in the name of Jesus…you are, a wolf-eater. 

— YorkAli Walters