Alpine Shepherds

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

I read something recently that painted a picture of loveliness and friendship in my mind. In the heights of alpine mountains, the shepherds, who had been allowing their flocks to graze all day in the high places where the grasses grew green and tender, would lead them down the mountains each night to their safe places for sleeping.

As they began their descent, the shepherds would sing out good nights and good wishes to one another. Since the air was so clear and thin at those altitudes, their voices would carry far and sweetly. This was the sound each of them heard as they left the toils of the day behind them and prepared themselves for rest.

What a tender picture of encouragement and unity of purpose. We, too, have darkness come upon us regularly—not just nighttime, but times when our vision is obscured, when we are overwhelmed, when rest must be forced upon us. All of us know times of disability and sickness, of confusion and doubt, of abandonment and rejection. To say it is “dark” is to say that we can’t see our way out, can’t see what is ahead on the path.

We can be like these shepherds to one another. We can call out encouragement to one who is lagging behind. We can show the way to one who needs light. We can bear the burdens of one who has too much to carry alone. We can lift one who is disabled. We can befriend one who has been abandoned, and accept one who has been rejected.

Call out to someone in their darkness, and encourage them on their way!

Lord, help me to see when someone is walking in darkness, so that I may encourage her. Fill me with Your love and compassion for her, because we are really on the same path in this life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.