Field guide · Terrain · “He restores my soul”
Us with Godand Falling Short
Forecast: low clouds of shame, breaking up quickly in the light.
Four tired ways to walk
Each has some truth in it. None of them is the whole story.
Under GodSheep that hide from the Shepherd
I need to feel bad enough, for long enough, before God will take me back.
Over GodSheep that know the way
I’ll fix this myself. With a better system, it won’t happen again.
From GodSheep that follow the grass
Sorry, God. Forgive me and let’s move on.
For GodSheep trying to be the sheepdog
I have to clean up my act, or God can’t use me.
Bring it into the light, and let him meet you there with grace.
If we walk in the light, his blood purifies us, and if we confess, he is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:7–9). Jesus knew everything about the woman at the well and still offered her living water (John 4:7–26). The father in Jesus’ story ran to his son while he was still a long way off (Luke 15:20). We don’t have to clean up first. For a gentle guide to honest confession, try Us with God and Sin.
Where the Shepherd isHe leaves the ninety-nine to find the lost one and carries it home on his shoulders, rejoicing (Luke 15:4–6).
Tell God one specific thing you’ve been avoiding, out loud, and then thank him for his forgiveness.
Lord, what am I still hiding from you?
Fellow travelers
People in Scripture who walked this ground before us.
- David kept silent until his bones ached, and then he said it out loud and found forgiveness (Ps 32:3–5).
- Peter denied Jesus three times and was restored by him over breakfast on the beach (John 21:15–19).
Keep walking
- With God: Sheep that know his voicethe posture every entry points to
- Which Way Are You Walking?a short self-check
- The Field Guideevery entry, by terrain, weather and crossing