There is something comforting about being led by someone who knows what they are doing. Most of us can think of a moment when we trusted another voice because we knew it would keep us safe. Scripture uses that exact image to describe our relationship with Jesus. Over and over again, we are called sheep, not because we are strong or impressive, but because we are dependent. And dependence, in the hands of a good shepherd, is not weakness. It is safety.

Have you ever gone through the motions spiritually? You pray, sing, and serve, but somewhere deep down you feel disconnected from it all. The words come out, the motions look right, but your heart feels somewhere else.

Most of us know what it feels like to chase fulfillment and come up empty. We set goals, build careers, raise families, and enjoy the good things of life, but still end up feeling like something is missing. It’s like grabbing at fog—you can see it, but you can’t hold it.

Every person wears masks. Some are obvious, like costumes and roles. Others are subtle, like the way we hide behind success, status, or the pressure to look like we have it all together. What we long for, though, is to live unmasked. To have the life we live in private match the life we display in public, and for both to align with faith in Jesus.

The Gospel of John opens with one of the most staggering truths in all of Scripture: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Unlike the other gospel writers, John doesn’t start with Bethlehem or Nazareth. He takes us all the way back before time began to remind us that Jesus has always existed.