Shepherding

I believe one of the strongest signals that God wired me to be a pastor is the fact that I enjoy sharing the defining moments of life with people. Some people who do what I do call themselves "preacher" or "teacher" or "minister" or "visionary" or "leader" or "reverend." Those are all fine titles and every person in my position fulfills those roles as well.

But my calling is to be a pastor.

The word "pastor" comes from the Greek word for "shepherd." The shepherd's job is to look after his sheep, to love and care for them, to teach them, to help them when they are in need or danger, and to lead them in the right direction.

When my phone rang at 2:15 this morning and I spent most of the rest of the night at the hospital, I was shepherding. When I arrive at the chapel this afternoon and marry a young couple, I will be shepherding. As I spent last Sunday afternoon burying the brother of one of my sheep, I was shepherding. No matter if I am praying with a lost sheep trying to find his way or teaching the whole flock on Sunday morning, God has called me to be a shepherd.

My charge comes from here: "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." 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NIV)

I still have a long way to go as I grow to be the shepherd God has called me to be. Fortunately, my Chief Shepherd is very patient. I'm just thankful He called me and that I get to share in the lives of the flock under my care.

Above all, I pray that I will be the shepherd that He wants me to be --- not because I must, but because I am willing, as God wants me to be.