Jesus tells the disciples that he is the good shepherd who lays down his life for his friends. Only Jesus knows the specific life journey that is best for each one of us. While we may vainly attempt to navigate our lives to avoid suffering, in reality our lives often contain more complexity and disappointment than we anticipate. However, if we believe that Jesus has our life in his hands, and if we submit to and trust in him despite our circumstances, even the darkest times can be a pathway to life transformation.