READ: 1 PETER 2: 21-25
Once you were wandering like lost sheep. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. (V. 25)
Cortney Stewart, a columnist with the Citrus County Chronicle in Florida, wrote that all aspects of American life would be better if more people adopted shepherd like attitudes and behaviors. She saw shepherds as people whose character and lives were defined by their unswerving dedication to the welfare and protection of their flocks. They realize their existence, and the well-being of many others, depends upon their faithfulness of care. Good shepherds are willing to go the extra mile to protect and defend their flocks with their lives if necessary; they accept the responsibility to lead their sheep to productive pastures for grazing and sources of water to keep them fed and healthy; they actively search for any member who becomes lost until all hope vanishes; and they live among their sheep leading from their midst. Truly, Good Shepherds intimately know their flock and their flock knows they can trust their leadership.
Thinking about Cortney’s article and the attributes of a Good Shepherd, I believe life everywhere, would indeed be better if more Good Shepherds answered the call and stepped forward. Their model for human shepherding would be Jesus. He came down from the Father and actively lived with his flock, and still does today in the form of the Holy Spirit; he never led by deception and his life was never marred by sin; he freely accepted his Father’s will to give it all by suffering greatly on the cross so that we would be cleansed of our sins and forever reconciled to the Father; and by his death and resurrection provided us with a secure future through the gift of eternal life. Thanks to Christ for adopting us as his sheep, for all is well with our souls!
We need Christ to guide us to become Good Shepherds by transforming us from leading people to participate in the lost ways of this world into active caretakers, protectors, and advocates of The Gospel. Each of us, no matter our station in life, has been given a flock to look after, some larger than others. We have families, work groups, social groups, church groups, recreational groups and some have even been charged with caring for entire communities and nations. It is not the size of the group that is the relevant, but rather the manner in which we discharge our obligation of care. We need to do it not to promote our own self-interest, but with humble servitude as reflected in Jesus led shepherd behavior.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Are you ready to answer the call to be a Good Shepherd-the needs are great, and the applicants appear to be few?
Dear Jesus, help me boldly step forward and accept the responsibility of being a Good Shepherd for those you have called me to lead.