A Tender Teacher

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”.