The shepherd continues to call, and when the sheep hears his voice, it will use up the last remaining bit of its energy to bleat again. It is the faint bleating of the sheep that allows the shepherd to locate it and bring it home. Remember, repentance both in Psalm 23 (shuv) and Luke 15 (metanoia) means to be brought back.8 Even your cries are part of repentance.9 Your fear, shame, and anger are cries of your soul asking to be sought. Repentance is not reprimanding yourself for getting lost; it is turning toward yourself as someone who is always worthy of being found.
