SHEEP WHO SHEPHERD

Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. First Peter 5:2-3

When our Lord called all of us sheep He told us that we should be followers, and when Peter called some of us shepherds he indicated that there should be among us leaders as well as followers.

Human nature being what it is, the need for leadership is imperative. Let five men be cast adrift in a lifeboat and immediately one of them assumes command. No plebiscite is necessary. Four of the men will know by a kind of intuition who the strong, wise man is, and without any formality he will take charge of things and become the leader.

Every disaster, every fire, every flood elects its own leaders. At such times the people listen without question to the man who has the presence of mind and the boldness to take command. In retrospect the weaker ones may find fault, but they were glad enough for the leadership when the crisis was on.

Among Christians too there are leaders and followers. The followers may resent the leader, but they need him nevertheless, and follow him too, even if a little sulkily sometimes.

Thought

God calls some sheep to shepherd His flock under His shepherding. Primary in the shepherd's task is to be an example to the flock. That is difficult when some sheep resist shepherding. Vital to the shepherd is the assurance that the Great Shepherd has called him, otherwise disaster.

Prayer

Thank You, Father, for shepherds under whose care You have placed me. May I be faithful in praying for them.

https://legacy.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer?id=1294