The shepherd’s crook
by Angela Weir
Shepherds’ crooks are not seen so often these days, though one friend always found a place for his on his quad bike in case he needed it to catch one of his sheep. In snowy weather they are used to probe the deep snow drifts as the shepherds search to find buried sheep.
The rod, or crook, was used to part and search the fleece to check for any parasites or damage to the sheep so that ‘going under the rod’ means it’s inspection time. It can be painful sometimes as the Lord searches us and exposes the ‘sickness’ inside us that doesn’t please Him – bad habits and thoughts, for example. We can trust our Good Shepherd even through these difficult times as we know that He’s moving in us to make us more like Him.
In the Bayeux Tapestry one of the soldiers is depicted with another giving him a prod in the rear with his staff and this is described as ‘being comforted’, in other words being given a nudge to spur him into action! Perhaps today there is someone who has felt the call of the Lord but just needs that extra nudge to spur him or her into action.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your gentle searching and probing. I want to be a clean vessel for You. Please help me to be alert and ready to respond to the promptings You give me. In Jesus’ name I ask it, Amen.
Angela Weir has been associated with Ellel Ministries from the very beginning, first as an associate member of the ministry team and later as an associate teacher. She trained as an actress before moving to Cumbria, where she taught drama in a girls’ school. She now teaches and ministers at various Ellel Centres.
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