Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 1 Peter 5:2
When one of our daughters had a field trip to the Statue of Liberty, she pleaded with me to accompany the class and be a chaperone. The thought of being in a strange place, watching over children that I didn’t know, whose parents I didn’t know, was not an appealing thought to me. I felt extremely ill equipped and it was with tremendous trepidation that I agreed.
On the day of the trip, we drove for two hours through NY City. I was extremely happy to learn that I would only have one other child and she was a friend of my daughter, whom I knew. We were all told that we would take a boat over to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, when it was time to come back we would have free time to shop, but we MUST NOT miss the boat! Well, guess what, my girls (after we managed to escape the frightening spiral staircase of the Statue of Liberty : ) wanted some french fries. So we ran into the food counter and got some fries and we came out just in time to see the teacher running back and forth on the deck of the boat, in a panic, as she saw that we were still on the island while they were already on their way back to shore. Yes, WE MISSED THE BOAT!! I calmed the girls and explained that because the schedule now consisted of free time, we could sit and enjoy our fries and catch the next Boat which would arrive in 15 minutes. Whew! I guess I was equipped to take care of those girls, because we made it home safe and sound.
Almost everyone is a chaperones or, as God refers to us, shepherds of some group of people. It may be a group at church, it may be someone at work, it may be our children or friends.
Our main verse (1 Peter 5:2), in it’s true context, is referring to a Pastor or Elder of the church. But this verse is equally appropriate for those of us who are simply given charge over, even one person.
When we break this verse down we see that it says “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care”, we might say “it says “God’s Flock”, not my family or work group or kids. We see in Romans 13:11, that God is the one who chooses the authorities placed over us (Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:11) and if you have been put in authority over anyone, you were chosen by God and they are your flock.
We then see that we are to “watching over them”. When we think of watching over them, we must think about how a shepherd watches over his flock. He doesn’t do it cavalierly, because if he does he loses his lively hood and those sheep that God has given them. How did Jesus shepherd? “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
Then we see that it says “not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be”. God has given us these “sheep”. Our Heavenly Father, chose you to be in authority over these sheep. He desires that you would shepherd them as Christ shepherds us, with love and leading and nurturing. And, to do it with a willing spirit, desiring to serve Him. (But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24.)
Finally, it says “not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve”, we are not to shepherd these sheep for our own selfish desires, to make us feel important or to make ourselves an idol to those under us. He desires that we would shepherd these sheep, because we are eager to serve both the sheep and God! (Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23)
Now, do we have to say yes? No, we have free will and we can slack and not lead or protect the sheep. We can simply let them shepherd themselves, leaving them in peril and exposed to the elements and the wolves who would devour them. However, not only will they be a flock without a shepherd, but you will rob yourself of blessings.
God, chose you to oversee those that He allows you to have influence over and in others lives. Are you shepherding them well, or are they sheep without a shepherd?
I pray that today, we would examine our lives and that we might even pray and ask the Lord who those people are in our lives that He desires that we would shepherd. I pray that we would be eager to shepherd those precious sheep that God has given us. I pray that we would honor God by living our lives well, because that in and of itself is shepherding the flock in how to live.
As the body of Christ, we have an incredible responsibility to those under us and those around us and most of all to our Heavenly Father. Lets glorify Him in the way that we shepherd His sheep.
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is out lined there. God loves you and desires a relationship with you. He even has work for you to do and some sheep for even you to shepherd : ). Please pray this prayer and, once you do, reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer for you.
Luv Ya!
