The Sheep with the Broken Leg

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

An American tourist was visiting a small sheep farm, high in the Swiss Alps. Even though the farm was small, she witnessed the well-kept barns and sheds. In one shed, she noticed a sheep lying on a pile of straw.
The sheep had a broken leg.

She asked the old farmer, "How did the sheep break its leg?"

"I broke it", responded the farmer.

A horrified look came upon the woman's face. "How could you do such a thing?" she asked.

"Of all the sheep in my flock," answered the farmer, "this one was the most wayward. Often he would wander off to the verge of perilous cliffs or dizzying precipices. Not only was he disobedient himself, but he was continually leading the other sheep astray. That's why I broke his leg."

"The first day after I broke his leg, I brought him food and water. He tried to bite me. So I left him alone in this shed for a couple of days. When I returned with food and water, he was happy to see me. Now when I come to him, he licks my hand."

"This sheep now shows every sign of submission and obedience. Now let me tell you something. When this sheep is well, as he soon shall be, he will be the model sheep of my flock. He will be the quickest to hear me and the one who stays closest beside me. To the other wayward sheep, he will be an example of obedience. He has been transformed by his suffering."

There are times in our lives when God has to break us. He has to break our stubbornness, our pride, our self-sufficiency. He does it because He loves us. If God did not break us, we would stray into all kinds of spiritual dangers. Because he breaks us, we lead changed lives.

We learn to obey Him, follow Him, and be dependent on Him. The discipline of God is never pleasant. But the God who loves us dearly disciplines our lives for our good.