The Good Shepherd

With the recent passing of my mother I have been reading up some on the grieving process. One of the most referred to verses for comfort is Psalm 23. As I was meditating on the verse from Psalms 23:4 - "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." another thought occurred to me. Our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, does far more then lead us through the shadow of death. He is wanting to lead us on a daily, moment by moment basis. Some days we are fine just to sit and graze in the field in the bright sunshine. However, there will inevitably come a time when we need to get up and move. It may not feel that way because the grass may still look green and the sheep may think, I am perfectly happy right where I am. I don't want to move. I'm very comfortable. The problem arises when we don't listen to the Shepherd, who knows what's best for us, who knows the seasons before we do, who knows when the storms are coming. He wants to take us to a higher road, a better place. If we sit in disobedience he simply can't lead us there. It may take effort and be uncomfortable at first, but once he gets us up out of our comfort zone and moving, we are always headed to a better place if we but put our trust in Him. Yes, the path He takes us on might be rough at times, but if we sit and refuse to move, eventually the grass will run out or the storm will come and we will have to deal with a much more difficult struggle. Of course he never abandons us but he will not force or push us on that right path. If we are wounded along the path he takes us, he will help us, sometimes even picking us up to carry us until we are able to stand on our own. The Good Shepherd tends to us.
I think about how many times I refuse to move because I think I'm comfortable. It's so important that I don't ignore my Shepherds voice.