Something about Sheep

We know the Lord pictures Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, the chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4) and we who are Christians are as the "flock." We know the great analogy of sheep and shepherd presented in Psalm twenty-three. There are many similarities in the disposition and behavior of sheep and people.

While reading about this in a book written by a shepherd he noted how there is often such intense rivalry among sheep to see which will be "top sheep," which will dominate the others, like the apostles who were concerned over who would be greatest among them. I knew brethren often are found struggling for prominence and dominance for some weird reason, but I did not know this was characteristic of sheep.

I also learned when the shepherd was nearby this rivalry was not in evidence. Does not this tell us something? Would not such strife be reduced and probably removed if were nearer the Shepherd?