We are social beings. In our
society valuable beings are viewed as those who have love and acknowledgement. We seek 
acceptance and desire to prove our self worth through
the many things we do, our jobs, titles, material possessions.
Our social identity becomes a composition of these things.
Llamas are social beings as well. They need to be part of a herd, or at the very least, to have one or two animal companions. Just like people, there is an inner need to be part of a group. Despite this inner need, there are times when being part of a group is less than uplifting. There are llama quarrels over amounts of food, choice bedding and shade spots, disputed leadership roles, and yes even who goes first on the potty pile. Each of these can lead to frustration as a fellow group member exercises its needs over another's. Elimination of these quarrels and problems is only through the guidance of a good and wise shepherd.
The Good Shepherd's Job
A good and wise shepherd will provide for the
herds' needs, carefully placing each individual in the right
pasture, and tending to their wants as well as taking care of
their basic necessities. Sometimes this requires doing things a
llama may not be crazy about, but in the long run it will be
better for the llama. For example, in this hot climate it becomes
necessary for a good shepherd to shear the heavy wool burden from
a llama's back. This will help the llama to pass through a
summer's heat without the extra stress of trying to keep cool or
the threat of hyper thermal death. Many llamas refuse the
shepherd's good intentions and try to avoid having their burdens
removed. It is not until after a llama accepts and trusts the
shepherd that it will allow the shepherd to easily remove their
burden.
Just as a llama's coat grows and becomes cumbersome, people burden themselves down with many things in life. Each of them, when they grow big, can crush the very joy of our existence out of us. No matter what the burdens may be, people can trust in the Good Shepherd and allow Him to remove their burdens. The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. To find our true identity and sufficiency in life, we need to look to Jesus Christ. Not in the people who surround us, or what we do, or what we have or do not have in the way of possessions or titles.
Believing in and knowing Jesus is a life long relationship that requires us to build knowledge and trust in our loving, Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Growing in the knowledge and truth of Him relinquishes the burdens of our lives to His loving, caring hands. He will skillfully, and carefully remove the crushing burdens of life and allow us to experience life anew.
If you do not know Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, the Bible is a great place to get to know Him. The Gospel of John tells us "Jesus spoke to them, saying: 'I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.'" Also "If you abide in my Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The Good Shepherd of life asks that we simply believe in Him. He desires a relationship with us asking that we read His Word (the Bible), getting to know Him and the truth of life. We must not allow our social identity and life's burdens to keep us from finding our true identity and freedom in life, Jesus Christ.
Perhaps you've tried to rid yourself of the struggles of life only to find yourself more burdened? God has created a way for all people to unload every burden of life. Only He can fulfill our deepest needs and release us from all of life's cares. He loves and cares for you and is very interested in helping you find true freedom from life's troubles. Here is how you can begin to develop an intimate, personal relationship with Him and be set free of your burdens:
