“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’’ John 10:11

We can easily understand Jesus is our Good Shepherd. But how do we live out our role as good sheep? What’s the difference between good and bad sheep? First and foremost, being part of God’s flock is the most important part, but there must be a lot more to the analogy. If it were only to be in the flock, nothing more nothing less, then we would have to force ourselves to ignore everything else God’s Word describes.

First, God has created a pasture that doesn’t require perfection from His sheep as a prerequisite to get in; it’s simply having faith in the Good Shepherd. The most important tasks of the sheep are to listen and follow, while the the Good Shepherd’s role is to save, lead, provide, and protect. The passage in Psalm 23 specifically says we are to lie down in green pastures, be lead beside still waters and paths of righteousness. And the most amazing part is that even when going through dark valleys, God will comfort us.

All of this is evident at the WellHouse. For the WellHouse to exist, we must rely on the Good Shepherd to lead us on the right paths, comfort us in dark valleys, and rest only in the green pastures God provides. We want to show this reality to the survivors that come through our doors. This may be the first time for one of these individuals to feel peace and rest in their life, and it may be the first time they’ve heard about Jesus Christ – the Good Shepherd. It’s also possible that coming to The WellHouse may be the first time they’ve ever felt comfort, which gave them an idea that there’s hope.

There may be many people outside the walls of the WellHouse don’t understand the thought of no hope, rest, or comfort, but obviously that’s not true for everyone’s situation. The darkness of this world can come in many different ways in a person’s life, as human trafficking is only one way evil shows itself in this world. The point I’d like to make is this: The WellHouse believes it is one way. God has created a green pasture, still waters, and the right path for survivors to see the Hope that’s found in Jesus and the life that God has for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord to be saved. The WellHouse is simply a creation that reflects who God is. So when the critic says a broken world must mean there’s no such thing as a Loving God. The WellHouse, along with many other ministries that help support the lost and hurting, is a reflection of God showing Himself through the darkest valleys.

As the Campus Pastor of the WellHouse, it is my privilege to be able to walk along side these survivors in green pastures, still waters, and help point everyone to the Good Shepherd.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23