Monday, October 17, 2011

Care For God’s Flock

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers -- not just 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. -- 1 Peter 5:2-3

What has God entrusted to you? Who has God entrusted to you? Because God didn’t place us on this earth to merely exist. He gave us abilities and talents, responsibilities and possibilities.

We are here to serve Him, our Creator, our God, our Father. All that we do is meant to glorify God and care for His sheep.

So, I ask you again: What and who has He entrusted to you? Do you have children to nurture and raise? They could be our own. They could be students or the neighbor’ children. They could be nieces and nephews. But if God places a child in your path, do all you can to protect that child and see that he/she knows Jesus.

Some of us care for aging parents. Others care for siblings. Or elderly neighbors who are alone. One friend has taken it on himself to roll out the garbage cans of his elderly, widowed neighbors to the road the night before garbage pickup, then take the receptacles back to their house after garbage pickup. A simple task -- but a really big deal to someone who has trouble walking. My friend believes God put him in the midst of five widows for just such tasks as these.

Maybe you teach a Sunday school class or pass out bulletins at the front door of the church. Maybe you‘re the one who makes sure coffee is ready before everyone else arrives. Maybe all your kids’ friends gather at your house to socialize, to play, to feel welcome and safe.

We never really know sometimes how our actions effect the lives of others. When I was a small child, my great aunt taught me the words to “Jesus Loves Me.” It was one of my few memories of the time before my parents stopped attending church. The words of that song echoed in my mind many nights as I nursed my broken and rejected heart. I thanked her one day several years ago. She didn’t even remember it. We never know how what we‘re doing may impact someone else.

God put you where you are for a reason. Look around. Measure your words. Be free with your smiles. Let others see Jesus reflected outward from you. God has entrusted you to keep watch over His sheep. Don’t let Him down.