Running back to the fence

Have you ever noticed how often we blame God when life feels tangled, when in reality, it’s our choice to keep running back into the mess?

Noah tells a story from when he was a sheep farmer in Australia. They were herding sheep to the barn for shearing when one sheep bolted out of the herd and ran straight into a barbed wire fence. Noah went over, untangled it, and guided it back into the herd.

But the sheep wasn’t finished.
It ran back to the fence again.
And again.
Five times in a row, each time more tangled and bloodied than before. And each time, Noah patiently untangled it, pointing it back to safety, gently saying, “Stay with the herd—I’m trying to protect you.”

Isn’t that just like us?
God leads us away from danger. He untangles us from the snares of sin, toxic relationships, or harmful patterns. He points us back to safety. Yet how often do we return to the very things that wounded us?

Here’s the good news: Jesus is gentle and kind. He doesn’t throw His hands up in frustration or shame us for running back to the fence. He meets us in our mess, patiently untangling us with love. Again and again, He offers kindness instead of condemnation.

The truth is, He’s not the one dragging us back into the barbed wire. He’s the Shepherd pulling us out, reminding us that His way is safer, freer, and filled with love.

Maybe today is the day to stop running back to the fence—and start resting in the arms of our gentle Shepherd.