The Shepherd Sent Us
By Jessica Carney
“Leave your home and fulltime travel,” was the distinct message the Lord sent to my husband and I. It was the peak of COVID and all countries had closed their borders. What would we do now?
But the message was clear, so we moved into our travel trailer and explored the mountain west. We knew who our Shepherd was and even though we didn’t know where He was taking us, we believed it would be for our greatest good.
Jesus Christ is the good Shepherd. His “work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” and woman (Moses 1:39). Who else can say that? Who else has chosen that? Only Jesus! He gave everything so we might learn, grow, and become like our Heavenly Parents.
Following the guidance of the Lord to full-time travel was exactly what our family needed at that time. While there were plenty of wildly wonderful moments in our travels there was fear, sadness, loss, worry, contention, loneliness and many insecurities.
Due to all the restrictions with COVID we never knew where we were going more than a few days in advance; this created an interesting lesson in patience and trust. We were constantly reminded by people in our life and those we met how very strange our situation was. People’s reactions were anything from inspired to judgmental. Our kids thought they were missing out on so much being away from everything they knew. When in Ecuador for 2 months we were robbed and got parasites. It was definitely a rollercoaster!
Just because one follows the personal direction given by the Good Shepherd doesn’t mean He will lead us on a path that is easy. Rather, He will guide us along the path that teaches us who we are, the power he offers us, and how to use that power to be and do good in our lives.
Today, the Lord is guiding me and my family in different ways. The ways are less obvious and flashy but still as crucial as full time traveling. Each time I follow my Shepherd, I learn more about how to deepen my testimony that Jesus is my Shepherd. Here are three ways I’d like to share with you:
Sheep follow a shepherd. They don’t often know where they are going but they trust their shepherd. What has the Lord asked of you through His living prophet? Look over and find recent counsel and guidance from the prophet and see if you are following them. If you are not following them, ask “why?”
A shepherd protects his sheep. Set aside some time to reflect on how the Lord has protected you over the last week, month, or year. Write down your thoughts in a journal or share them with a friend.
A shepherd is a guide. Who are you looking to for guidance? Is it google? Is it a friend? Is it a book? Is it an influencer? What is your go-to strategy when you are struggling? What role does the Savior play in your life as you seek guidance?
Many moments of seeking, hearing, and heeding the voice of the Lord had led to answer the call to full time travel as a family of four. I know it was exactly what we needed to do as a family to receive some of the healing we longed for. I am grateful the Lord is my shepherd and I don’t need to live in fear when He guides me toward changes in my life.
I will be forever grateful that we hearkened to the voice of the Lord to walk away from our lives as we knew it and full-time travel in a unique way during a strange time. I came to have my testimony strengthened that the Lord truly knows me, my family and our challenges. I came to see how the Lord’s protection is real and that His comfort through the holy spirit will always provide light in our life.
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