Called To Shepherd
A bit more on "shepherding". We have talked about the Lord being our Shepherd according to Psalm 23. As I considered the meaning of "shepherd", I began to realize that, in a sense, we are all called to "shepherd". Why
do I say this? I say this because of what it means to shepherd. Most of
us have a husband or a wife, and/or children. And, those of us who
don't, either have a mom or a dad, or a friend and/or relatives, etc. We
all have someone in our life who we can reach out to. Again, let's
observe the meaning of shepherd from yesterdays writing: (to teach,
to keep, to take care of, to watch over and look after, to manage the
activities and transactions of, to be an attendant or a servant, to give
attention to, to be a companion ... a "special friend"). Are not
each of us called to do this in the life of others? The Lord desires
that we have the heart of a shepherd, and that we be a "special friend" to others, just as He is to us. Let's take a look at a section of scripture verses on this subject, from the very heart (and mouth) of our friend and Savior, Jesus:
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked [on him], and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion [on him], And went to [him], and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave [them] to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise (Luke 10:25-37 KJV).
Blessings!
