He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23: 2-3

Over the last few weeks, I’ve joined a Bible study at a local church here in the Phoenix area. On most Monday evenings, there are about eight men gathered around our table. We come from different backgrounds, span a wide range of ages, and find ourselves at different places in our faith. Some are new to following Jesus, while others have been walking with Him for decades.

Despite our differences, one common thread has become clear: we all need rest and restoration. We all need encouragement—reminders to keep following the teachings of Christ and to walk daily in the light and truth of Scripture. Life has a way of wearing us down, distracting us, and pulling our focus in every direction. Left on our own, it’s easy to grow weary or lose perspective.

That’s where the Good Shepherd meets us.

In our study over the past few weeks, we’ve been reminded again and again of Jesus’ patience with His disciples. He consistently challenged how they thought about who He was, what true leadership looked like, the seriousness of sin, and His mission to seek and save the lost. Yet He never abandoned them when they struggled to understand. He didn’t rush them or replace them.

Instead, He patiently taught them—through His words and through the example of His life.

And honestly, that gives me great hope. Like the disciples, we are often slow to learn. We stumble, ask the same questions, and wrestle with the same doubts. But Jesus remains steady and faithful. He leads with grace, restores our souls, and invites us to keep walking with Him.