Jesus says that as our Good Shepherd, he is leading us. What an encouraging thought. Jesus is leading you, and he is leading me. He is shepherding us. I can feel something in my heart loosening even now as I consider this. Okay, I don’t have to make life happen on my own. Now, if Christ takes it upon himself to lead, then our part is to follow. And you’ll find that it helps a great deal in your following if you know what God is up to. . . .
Whatever else is going on, we can know this: God is always up to our transformation. . . .
God has something in mind. He is deeply and personally committed to restoring humanity. Restoring you. He had a specific man or woman in mind when he made you. By bringing you back to himself through the work of Jesus Christ, he has established relationship with you. And now, what he is up to is restoring you. . . .
Oh, the joy, the utter relief it would be to be transformed. That in itself would be more happiness than most of us ever experience. And — as if that were not enough — it would free us to live the life God has for us to live.
My friends, this is what God’s up to. This is where our Shepherd is headed. Whatever else is going on in our lives, this is going on. He is committed to our transformation. So, if this is what God’s up to, wouldn’t it make sense that we be more intentional in partnering with him in our transformation?
— John Eldredge, Walking with God, p. 19-21