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The shepherd's perspective
The Psalmist sings: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” (Psalms 121:1, 2 ).
I live in a beautiful valley in the Waikato dairying region of New Zealand. In the early part of my farming career, when I was a novice shepherd, I learned to “read the sheep,” as my border collie and I mustered the stock to greener pastures. I observed that their movements always reflected the presence and direction of the dog who was herding them. It became natural to look with expectation toward the successful outcome of the job, knowing with absolute certainty that the dog was constantly on duty, never forsaking his post.
As I see God’s qualities regularly manifested in my daily experience, I think of the perspective I’ve gained as a shepherd, and it becomes easy to trust in God’s presence, that God is always with us. I need not doubt that He is at work—that God, divine Principle, Life, Truth, and Love, is guiding my every move. Mary Baker Eddy’s Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures encourages us: “Be firm in your understanding that the divine Mind governs, and that in Science man reflects God’s government” (p. 393 ).
Some years ago I found myself with the responsibility of running a family farm during the winding up of the enterprise. Our parents had been enjoying their last 15 years farming this property, and, as this was an estate settlement, there were several parties to be consulted on every question. I am grateful that, as I lifted my thoughts higher than the hills on which our sheep were roaming, I was able to see that the qualities of love, honesty, orderliness, and ongoing life were always with us—with everyone who was in any way connected with this enterprise.
These powerful spiritual qualities are now, and always have been, present because God is a constant, never-failing presence. Knowing that our whole experience is governed by Him had such a liberating effect. One day in particular, I became aware that a number of activities had dovetailed together so perfectly. Despite my planning, God had unfolded events in perfect harmony, to His tune. Our family was pleased to sell the farm to a man with a similar “love of the land” that our parents had enjoyed.
In Romans, Paul shares this prayer of confidence: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (8:28 ). Each time we see harmony and healing expressed in our own lives, and the lives of those around us, we can rejoice that the Science of Christianity is proved once again. What a promise!
—Alan Dodd, Walton, New Zealand