My wife and I stood atop a hill overlooking a serene and lush rolling landscape; tall green grass covered the pasture, and beautiful dark green hardwood trees framed the meadow nearby. There were dozens of sheep grazing on the hillside, and I could see a shepherd standing not far to our right. The sky was blue and calm, and it felt very peaceful.

Then in a split second, the sky turned completely black, and a fierce tempest kicked up, blowing debris and hail particles in every direction. The shepherd ran away in terror, and the sheep sprinted aimlessly in every direction. The sheep then formed a pack and started heading toward us. I thought we would get trampled, but the sheep circled us several times and eventually huddled in close. Peace settled over them, and they calmed down. I looked at my wife and knew we had been called to shepherd abandoned people this season. The presence of the Lord saturated us, and I awoke in His peace.

Jer 10:21 “For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, And have not sought the LORD; Therefore they shall not prosper, And all their flocks shall be scattered.”

Zec 11:17 “Woe to the worthless shepherd, Who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm And against his right eye; His arm shall completely wither, And his right eye shall be totally blinded.”

Jer 23:4 “I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the LORD.”