Who is your shepherd?
I remember, years ago, talking to a college friend who brought up the teaching he heard at church on Sunday the week before. He talked about some of the thoughts shared and how he was trying to incorporate it into his life. I still remember it, because I remember being shocked by it.
Why was this so shocking to me? Well, it was late in the week... a Thursday or a Friday... and he still remembered the teaching and was thinking about!! I, on the other hand, had forgotten about the teaching shortly after I had exited the building and hadn't given it a second thought. I was impressed by this guy's humility, and by his eagerness to, well, to follow.
Ever since that time, I've pondered the default attitude of so many Christians, myself included, to go to church on Sunday to consume whatever is being offered. Wow me with the music. Impress me with the message. Did I enjoy myself? Did I get something out of it? If not, their bad. Maybe I should go somewhere else? This is the mindset of a consumer looking for "a good deal" at church.
Contrast this with the heart of a follower, or, as the Scriptures like to put it, a sheep. We are to be sheep who listen to the shepherd's voice (John 10:1-18, especially verse 4 and 16). When I go to church ready to listen and respond to the shepherd's voice, I respond differently. I come wanting to be led into worship and praise. I listen intently to the message and I take notes so as not to miss the shepherds voice. I spend the week seeking to follow the shepherd by implementing his directions into my life.
Sounds almost cultic, doesn't it? Almost like a guy is a mindless robot. Actually, it takes more thoughtful intentionality to listen, remember, and follow than it does to walk out the door and forget about it. What I've always loved about the Bereans is that after hearing Paul speak they didn't study the Scriptures to see what they thought was right, or wherever they happened to be at in their one year through the Torah plan, but "to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17:11) They were sheep looking into where Paul was trying to lead them. And, as you see in verse 12, "many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men." They followed the shepherd.
I've been redoubling my efforts to follow my shepherd(s) lately. I've resumed the habit of taking notes on the message knowing full well that I will forget my shepherd's voice if I don't. I then put it on my desk and review it over the course of the week. If there are practical steps recommended, I hang them up next to my computer to remind me to do it.
As I've done this, I've come to realize how meaty these messages are. I realize how I don't really "get" a lot of what is communicated the first time I hear it. I didn't truly understand the shepherd's voice. I've also discovered how far I fall short in obeying what the shepherd says. Instead of following him into green pastures, I overgraze on my own ruminations or, worse yet, I wander into desert lands... and then blame the shepherd for it. :-)
The series on Galatians that we're doing at Stonebrook is just now starting to sink in. I'm starting to feel the pressure of a performance mentality lift and enjoy God's grace and acceptance more. Not just on the psychological level, but on an emotional level. I'm feeling the liberty of the "grace of Christ" (1:6). I'm seeing Christ "clearly portrayed as crucified" (3:1). I'm connecting with the "promise of the Spirit" within me (3: 14).
And guys, it's good stuff! And at this time of my life, I've never needed it more. It's like the Shepherd knew exactly what pasture I needed to go to. I'm glad I'm following Him for a change.
Comments
My pastor recently concluded a series on Galatians and then I heard Dave Bovenmyer's sermon on it a couple weeks ago, which reinforced what I had heard before. And then today, just coincidentally, I was talking with another brother about what we had learned from the teaching from Galatians and I shared with him some of your thoughts and what you're chewing on.
I think that's the way it's supposed to be in the community of God, in his flock. Get fed by the Word of God -- who's teaching is really irrelevant -- chew on it some and then chew on it together. Maybe like sitting down to a meal and talking about the flavors and textures and smells of the food before us.
It's always good to hear from you, Dan.
Of course, who is teaching is not completely "irrelevant" because, as Jesus said, a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. As we all know, there are plenty of questionable teachers out there and we need to use wisdom to identify them.
But things can go south with even good teachers when we begin to follow their voice instead of the voice of our local shepherd(s) and judge our local shepherd based on the style, emphasis, ect... of this other teacher. When that happens, dissatisfaction with your church family emerges and you, as a sheep, can find yourself without a flock and without a local shepherd... a dangerous situation for any sheep.