Sometimes we face rejection from a broken relationship, from fair-weather friends, or parents who just don’t understand what we’re going through. No matter the source of the rejection, we have the ONE who can take us from a weak state of brokenness to a victorious state of strength and healing. His name is Jesus!

A few months ago, a minister opened our meeting on the topic of Bummer Lambs. He explained that there are instances when a baby lamb is rejected by its mother at birth. This lamb, known as a bummer lamb, reacts to this cruel rejection by hanging its head low and uncontrollably shaking its body. Its spirit is broken! There is no way of survival without a mother’s care…unless a good shepherd comes along to rescue the lamb. 

The good shepherd must hand-feed the lamb, wrap it in a warm blanket, and hold it close to his chest so the lamb can hear his heartbeat. It is a lengthy process requiring much sacrifice on the part of the good shepherd. Once tenderly cared for, the lamb will eventually flourish. It can return to the flock and will be the first to respond to the shepherd’s call, because it knows the shepherd’s voice intimately.

All of us can relate to the bummer lamb. We need the tender care of our Good Shepherd, who is Jesus Christ, our Lord. The good news is that our Good Shepherd will NEVER abandon His own. He wants to nurture us and watch us grow into our best selves.

In 1 Samuel 16, we read the account of David, who was rejected by his natural family. He was a shepherd boy, but the Lord told the prophet Samuel that man looks on the outward appearance, but He looks at the heart. God declared David His choice for a new king, “a man after God’s own heart.” David, the rejected shepherd boy, became a king and a type and shadow of Christ.

Jesus Christ was also a rejected lamb, despised of men, as written in Isaiah 53. But through His Father’s perfect plan, Jesus was also The Good Shepherd. He will forever feed and care for His sheep. He leads us to the fountains of living water and wipes away all our tears. Let us be counted among His sheep, hearing His voice and being led by the One who paid the ultimate price for all His dear sheep.

If you can relate to the bummer lamb, seek the Good Shepherd for healing. He will nurture you until your spirit is no longer broken. You will be able to hold your head up high, no longer shaking in fear, but standing tall, strong, and ready to follow His voice when He calls!

Read Psalm 23, a favorite of every bummer lamb! 

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)