Hello friend! I’m so glad you’re here! Welcome to my [new] page Sacred Sheep.
In 2017 when I originally began blogging, my site was named Sheep Once Silenced. At that time, I had the desire to write about my personal life experiences and how they correlated to biblical lessons.
Sheep was inspired by scripture from John 10:27. It reads, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me.” I have a personal joy from this “sheep” reference, as my name, Rachael, is Hebrew for ‘ewe’- or otherwise known as a female sheep. In biblical terms, God’s people are referred to as sheep and, Jesus, as our Shepherd.
Once Silenced was originally taken as an interpretation of my past sin life. I was stuck in a perpetual cycle of struggles. I had voices in my head screaming I was both too much and yet, not enough. I became stuck in perpetual condemnation and penance. And finally, I doubted God’s love for me. In essence, I was writing to put an actual voice to my thoughts and everything I had been stuffing deep within my soul.
Halfway into the year 2020, I decided to take a step back from blogging. Truthfully, from many heart desires I had going on all at once. God had taken me on a journey to show me what a life truly separated unto Him actually looks like. I had a real revelation that I was living a life of striving and performing. I was trying to earn His love and to live a life that was pleasing to Him. And with that, I realized the wrong in that way of life. Because genuine acceptance and belief in Jesus Christ is simply trusting Him, along with His love and grace, and walking in faithful obedience to Him and His ways.
I perceive this deepened revelation as like turning the page to a new chapter in the book of my personal life. Instead of ridding this website of all the old, I’m simply moving forward in God’s gracious renewing. And with that said, stepping into the new name, Sacred Sheep.
Of course, I have the same passionate preference to the sheep description as listed above. In addition, because of the Holy Spirit’s work in my life, I can acknowledge that He is continually sanctifying me. As 2 Thessalonians 2:13 says, “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.”
This sanctifying consecrates the child of God. It produces a heart of holiness. It makes one sacred. Not by works of my own can I be made sacred. It is by the “work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth”. Furthermore, Isaiah who prophesied about our Savior said this, “…listen to the Lord who created you. …the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” He has called me, and you dear friends. We are His. We are made sacred through the ransom of Jesus Christ. We are called by name- God’s children, His beloved, and put ever so beautifully upon my heart- His Sacred Sheep.
“I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. …I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. …My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”– Jesus (John 10:7-11, 14-16, 27-30)
Sacred Sheep 