Baaaaaaaaaaa

Jesus told a parable about relationships. The parable gives an example of how sheep only trust the one they know. Although the parable was used to explain to his disciples about false teachers/preachers, I learned something from it in another very important way.

Quality relationships are not possible without trust. Just like sheep, trust is something that is built when we get to know, care about, help and protect each other. In the parable, Jesus is the shepherd and doesn't need taken care of… only you and I (the sheep) do. That's true with a shepherd/sheep and with God and us, but in human to human relationships, it's a two way street. It must go both ways, or it will never be very good.

In the parable, Jesus says '… they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him…' How do we get to know someone well enough to trust? We start out by sharing our joys, sorrows, hopes, fears, victories, failures, strengths and weaknesses. As we build trust and become able to share even more, we naturally become more and more intimate with each other. Becoming intimate puts us in a vulnerable position, but also brings us closer. We can't expect our relationships to grow meaningfully in any other way.

When one of the people in a relationship is unable to become intimate in this way because of insecurity or fear, the relationship suffers. It is an exchange, and when one person is unable to participate, communication is superficial at best. Sometimes it takes a lot of patience and love. It may be slow, and sometimes even painful for the other person to learn that you are not the enemy. If trust extended is abused or broken, the relationship can be badly injured.

If we want to have good relationships, it starts with getting to know each other and it will continue to grow with strong, unbroken trust. Like Jesus, who came that we may have life, and have it to the full, we must want the best for the other person.

John 10:1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ....