Shepherding Well

In my study this morning I was learning about David and how God chose him to rule over all Israel, not in spite of his being a lowly shepherd but BECAUSE he was a shepherd. Being a shepherd of innocent sheep takes compassion, patience, dedication and sacrifice. God was able to use David’s skills and temperament as a shepherd to humbly shepherd the nation of Israel!! You don’t have to be a king of a nation or a pastor of a church to be called to shepherd a flock. I strongly feel God has entrusted me with shepherding women/wives and young girls. Who do you feel God has entrusted to you, to care for spiritually? As I consider this, it encourages me to take that calling very seriously! To consider that if they were actually innocent sheep, I would do whatever I had to do, to ensure I not lose even one!! If you looked at your calling through this same lens, how would it change the way you care for the spiritual lives of those you feel called to shepherd? I know for me, I would be less concerned with offending or making someone feel uncomfortable. I would not give up in my pursuit to gently and lovingly guide them to the saving grace of God! To be so determined with patient and diligence in my pursuit and prayers, that no one would perish. Just like God does with all of us! “The Lord is not slow to keep his promise. He is not slow in the way some people understand it. Instead, he is patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, he wants all people to turn away from their sins. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar. Fire will destroy everything in them. God will judge the earth and everything done in it. So everything will be destroyed in this way. And what kind of people should you be? You should lead holy and godly lives. Live like this as you look forward to the day of God. Living like this will make the day come more quickly. On that day fire will destroy the heavens. Its heat will melt everything in them. But we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth. Godliness will live there. All this is in keeping with God’s promise. Remember that while our Lord is waiting patiently to return, people are being saved.” 2 Peter 3:9-13,15a