Yesterday morning I had a little mishap and one of our goats, Buttermilk, ended up getting out of the pen. She has kids who are four weeks old, and they were inside the pen. She wanted to get in to them, but she wouldn't use the gate and refused to let me help her. Every time I got near her she would dodge me and try to find her own way in. She walked along the fence as if expecting to find an opening that had not been there before. Her kids are so cute and fun to watch, so I gave her some space and grabbed the camera for a video of their new jumping game. In the video you can see Buttermilk outside the pen walking along the fence. Silly goat! After a while I went looking for Darren, because I thought she might respond better to him. I am more associated with discipline. "You have to get on the milk stand Buttermilk." "Buttermilk, hold still." "No, Buttermilk, you can't have Edelweiss' food." Darren wasn't here though, he had gone out with his Dad, so Heather brought up some food at my request, and as soon as Buttermilk saw the food enter the gate she followed.
This reminds me that Jesus is the gate, and He is the only way to Heaven. Many of us are like Buttermilk. We want to go to Heaven, but we spend our lives looking for our own way in. There is no other way. When someone tries to help us, we make a dash the other direction. We nibble the grass on the outside, but hunger for what is inside. Often it is when someone reaches a point of desperation that they finally realize their need and enter the gate that has been there all along. They finally realize the provision that has been made and stop looking at the provider as a cold enforcer of rules. Inside the pen there is shelter and protection. Inside the pen there are loved ones waiting. Inside the pen there is sustenance. Inside the pen there is joy, but the gate is the only way.
Come to the gate, it will be opened for you. Come to Jesus, He laid down His life for you!
John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
