As many of you are aware, Roger and I are stepping out into
ministry together. I am not at
liberty to give all the details quite yet but God has opened doors and indeed
affirmed us together that this is HIS desire. So we step out boldly in faith in this new chapter for our
whole family. We are truly excited
and it just continues to grow for our whole family and even those around us as
they see God’s hand open doors. God reminds me through scripture that when we follow this
leading and boldly step out there will indeed be opposition. Do you think the enemy is going to sit
back and make it easy?? There has
been opposition for us and yet every time, EVERY TIME I see God move on our
behalf and before us. It’s amazing. Even things meant to harm us He turns
around.
Very soon I will be able to write more about the details of
the ministry Roger and I are being called to.
For now, I want to share a glimpse of how God teaches me,
even now in this bold step of faith He is asking us to make.
I’ve been pouring over scripture asking Him to take me back
to the basics of what HE DESIRES His leaders and shepherds to look like,
especially as Roger and I prepare to lead together. I find when He teaches me from His truth a deep passion
wells up within me that is hard to contain and is contagious to those around
that chose to believe. This is the
power of His Spirit that spreads like wildfire.
Too often we get our ideas by looking left and right, and I
don’t want that either. I will choose
the Source, the only One.
I read in Ezekiel 34 about how the LORD is upset with the
shepherds for not taking care of the flock. “They hadn’t strengthened the weak, or healed the sick, or bound up the injured. They had not
brought back the strays or searched for the lost. The flock became scattered because there was no shepherd and
when they became scattered they became food for the wild animals.” (Ez 34: 4-5)
Then again in the New Testament, Matthew 9: 36-38
Jesus’ response is: “When he saw the
crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is
plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his
harvest field.’ ”
I began to ask Him to show me more of what this looks like,
now a days.
Jesus’ idea of shepherding isn’t just standing and preaching
on Sunday. NO it’s so much more….LOVING
His flock, caring for them, sharing their pain and helping them.
I went out for my morning run into nature, which you know I
love. (Deep into the remote nature
the more I can sense the presence of God.) As I was out just worshipping and talking with God about even
our kids and their day ahead at school I was stopped dead in my tracks as I
witness a large deer hit, head on by a Big Black Escalade. I couldn’t believe I was seeing this
right before me!! It was 40 yards
in front of me.
The deer flew up in the air, landed on its back and tried 3
times to flip itself around back on to its feet. It struggled so intensely I didn’t know what to do. Breathless, I watched, feeling so
helpless for her. “How is she
going to flip over??”
“How can I help her?”
My thoughts are racing…
The Escalade
and its tinted windows drove around her and left!!!! I couldn’t believe it.
Then the deer finally with all her strength got on her feet. She hobbled off the road into the
bushes and I felt so so sad. I
still couldn’t even move.
Still in shock that I was close to all of this, and yet it’s
not over there on the other side of the road appears the baby deer. He just stood there… literally on the
side of the road and kept looking both ways.
Then he looked at me with eyes that seem to cry “Where did my
mom go??”
Deer won’t stand still for long especially with a human only
feet away, but there he stood and looked at me longingly.
I wanted to show him, to lead him to his mom but all I could
do is fill up with tears. Then finally
the baby crossed the road and back in the bushes I could see him standing with
his hurt mom as she limped away.
I just stood there watching them, so sad, knowing I couldn’t
help them. Also knowing now the
mom would be easier prey for wild animals.
And as I stood there so helpless yet full of compassion… for
DEER I wondered why? And then His Spirit showed me that this
type of compassion is needed for the many many souls all around me that need to
be cared for. Not just that but how they need to get
to know and trust the Shepherd.
I spent the rest of my run asking Him to continue to burn in
me this passion for His flock that Roger and I would indeed be faithful to care
and protect the flock He is giving us, through His love and power within us. Oh,
that they would see the GOOD Shepherd in and through us and trust Him.
Savior like a shepherd lead me, much I need Thy tender
care.
NO ONE… I mean NO ONE… does “Tender” like Jesus does.
He’s teaching me “Tender Leading”.
