The Open Door of Hope

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming , he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

-John 10:11-15

What is a more beautiful thing in the world than hope? And what is a more disastrous thing in your world than fear? What does it take to make good men and women cry?

I once sat waiting outside of my middle school for a ride in my family's car. Usually, my would mother show up, but that day, I am thankful that my brother was there for this one specific moment in history. A kid much taller than I, pushed me aside “accidentally” and that is exactly what my brother saw. He was just poetic in his threat to this behemoth of mine, which to him was an ant. The boy shook and from then on, chose to walk on the other side of the sidewalk when I needed to wait for my ride.

Whatever you are running from today, that has you feeling as though it will crush you, is nothing but smoke and mirrors. I can tell you because I have walked through my own house of mirrors for years. Mirrors cannot hurt you they just look that way. I knew another kid, (in middle school again)— who got so scared that he ran into a fun house mirror—I would not recommend it.

Years later, more learned in the deceit of trickery, I found myself staring down an imposter in the face. He thought that a young woman that needed a job would be an easy target—not when she's my sister! I would rather die.

We are the sheep, shepherded by God Himself. Whom shall we fear? What can human beings or Satan do to us (Psalm 118:6)? God laid down His life, not so we would have some new songs to sing in church, but so we would have some new songs to sing on the street, on the stage and in the dark.

Fear does not exist in God's pen. Stay in God's pasture.

In Him,


Jean-Marc