How to be a good Sheep Herder
Ever wonder why there are no real good “how to” books on how
to be a good farmer. It’s because
farming has been handed down generation to generation, without a need for a
manual or instruction book on just how to be a good one. The shepherding trade is just another example
of how the tricks to the trade have been handed down throughout the ages. Peter uses this trade to teach the elders of
the church to “shepherd” their flock.
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as
overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the
flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory
that does not fade away.” 1 Peter
5:2-4(NKJV) When Peter spoke these words
he was addressing those chosen to be elders in the church. These were the people selected to be the
leaders of those believers who wanted a life in Christ. Peter stressed the idea of “leading by
example.”
I take this advice personally, and try to live a life not
only pleasing to the sight of our God, but that serves as an example to those
around me. This can be very difficult to
do when we have a society that wants to make its own rules, its own standards
and its own way of doing things. When we
choose to live according to the gospel, we are challenged in every aspect
because the world simply does not work that way. Our example becomes a little strange because
everyone watching knows how the world works, and sees our behavior as being
different, not worldly or acceptable.
It’s difficult to “oversee” a flock that feels like they have every
right to wander aimlessly through the pasture feeding on whatever strikes their
fancy, but this is just how the world sees itself. How do we shepherd a flock that wants no part
of being “shepherded.”
One of the things I can recommend in this particular
situation is that, as Christians, we merely stand our ground, we create a
boundary that we will not cross. We make
sure that our beliefs stand as a fence to the pasture. No one is allowed to move, damage or change
our fence unless we make the change. The
only way this can happen is if God has a different pasture in mind. Otherwise, we continue to mend our fences, we
stand tall and strong in our beliefs, and we do not allow the world to break
down our boundaries. It’s when we have
the gaping hole in our fence that evil makes a run for the opening. We simply need to be good shepherds and keep
mending our “de” fences against evil, allowing for nothing to get past our beliefs
in the one true God. In doing this, we
are becoming a great example for others to follow. Like lost sheep, they will move towards the
leader, towards the good shepherd who cares for them and provides them with all
the things they need.
How’s your “herding” skills today?
“in the world, not of the world”
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