SCRAWNY SHEEP
Today's reading: Ezekiel 31-35

"Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep. For you fat sheep push and butt and crowd my sick and hungry flock until they are scattered to distant lands. So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused and destroyed. And I will judge between one sheep and another." Ezekiel 34:20-22 NLT

I read this portion of Scripture and think of the few years my son participated in the 4H animal fairs in our county...

The best of the best animals, rabbits, chickens, cattle, hogs, sheep and goats, are washed, brushed, combed, curried and presented to the judges for examination and judgement.

I think also of the animals left behind that fair night. The not-so-pretty specimens. The animals that never had a brush or comb taken to them. The animals that were fed, but not pampered.

I had never thought of it in regards to our churches. But it happens, doesn't it?

We so want to sit in on the worship service that we don't sign up to help with the kids--and another willing sheep goes unfed.

We so enjoy the music portion of the service that we don't want to take our turn with usher duties--so another willing sheep gets the job, and therefore misses out on the 'grooming'.

We don't see ourselves as having any gift or talent that could be useful anywhere but as audience participation--so another willing flock member serves again.

We find it easier to slip into service and sit on the pew than serving in the nursery, but another will, one that probably is in there three out of four Sundays--and another willing sheep from His flock goes another Sunday without being pampered.

I don't know about your church, but we have fat sheep and scrawny sheep in our church.

We have some sheep that are about worn out.

I've got to spend some time talking to God about which I am--and why.