I always loved to play the game, follow the leader. It was always fun to be the leader, infact, all children love doing things their way.
However, some had much more creative things to do than I seemed to come up with. Of course, those creative, witty people were usually older than me.
Actually, it was ok once in awhile to follow someone youger, but it was obvious that they didn't know as much as the ones older.
Interesting that I would see sheep following their shepherd at least every day or two.
I've observed several pictures...
All shepherds aren't the same. Some go along behind, prodding and yelling...
But the shepherds that are most impressive are those walking ahead, leading the sheep.
When the shepherd is in a relaxed mode...allowing sheep to graze an area...the sheep may have their backs to him...or there may be several up against him...or there may be some going a little out of range...
However, when you see the shepherds in Israel, and they lead the sheep...the sheep may be walking 2 by 2...or maybe 1 by 1 on a narrow road...
David in Psalm 23, speaks of God as our Shepherd.
The new testament refers to Jesus as the Shepherd...leaving the 99 to find the one that is lost...
Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice and the voice of the stranger, they will not follow."
Amazing to me...so amazing...
Christian means Christ follower.
So, Christians not only hear their shepherd, they follow their shepherd...right?
Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep...His lambs.
Now, what does that mean? Peter was not Jesus. Who was Peter?
He was a disciple of Christ...a follower.
What does follow mean? What does a disciple do?
First he learns what to do. He learns how to follow Christ.
How? Where is Jesus, today?
That's right. He's seated at the right-hand of the Father.
So, just how do we follow Him today?
In Matthew 28, verses 19 and 20, we find what is known as the Great Commission.
It tells us to..."Go therefore into all the nations and preach the gospel to every creature, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you to do, and lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world."
Who gave that commission and who received it? Jesus commissioned His disciples to go in His authority and to preach the good news of the gospel...getting people saved...and then, He told them to teach all that He had taught the disciples.
Paul, who came along after Jesus' resurrection, and who was first involved in persecuting Christians until the LORD met him on the road to Damascus...was converted and became the greatest evangelist in the New Testament...also a great Apostle.
Paul said to those He was teaching, "Follow me as I follow Christ."
Now, if we look at this analogy between the Christian walk and the sheep following the shepherd...just what is this saying to us?
If all disciples throughout the ages...all sheep...had followed the Shepherd...had heard and heeded His voice...I believe that the Church would not be where it is today.
There's something just not quite right about the Church of 2012...I mean the Church worldwide. There is poison in the pot.
I mean, exactly how did we get to the point where there are so many divorces in the Church...almost as many if not the same number as in the world.
Exactly how did we get to the place where so many men and women...very young...and even elderly...are in physical relationship with someone they are not married to...how did it happen that the church condones significant others?
How did it get to be that in church and school, on ball teams, in children's clubs, and even political figures, that you can't always trust the adults involved to be people of integrity?
Why are the children disobeying their parents? Why are they allowed to act out at home and in public without serious repercussions? Why are so many parents and grandparents...and leaders in schools, churches, etc., shirking back from their responsibility to raise up men and women of honor, honesty, and even valor?
We see in all areas, especially the church, novices leading. We see many inexperienced leaders!
Paul told the men that if they had no control over their household that they were not to be deacons or pastors.
Now, pastor means shepherd. They are not only to be able to preach the gospel for salvation. Pastors have the responsibility of leading. Deacons and teachers, song directors, etc., in the church are suppose to be leaders.
We've forgotten that a leader has to be one qualified to lead. Must they live an exemplary life? Yes.
Perfection ... or completion ... is an on-going process. We are to strive to look like our leader.
I remember as a young woman just beginning to learn about submission to my husband...I had to look for someone who was striving to be a submissive wife.
As Paul taught us, the older women are supposed to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children...etc.
How? By example.
Yes, it's true that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. But, just how do we expect Him to do this?
When our parents train us in the way we should go...that's Holy Spirit teaching us.
When older couples set the example of love in marriage...with the husband as head of the household...and him loving his wife as Christ does the Church...that's Holy Spirit teaching us.
When parents....teachers...mentors...live a life of prayer ... that's Holy Spirit teaching us to pray without ceasing.
When those ahead of us spiritually, provoke us to good works...that's Holy Spirit teaching us that we are to work out our salvation.
The neatest picture I saw among all the pictures was one with the shepherd in front and just skads of sheep...single file...for as far as one can see.
If any got out of line, they would get hurt...or be lost...
So amazing!
I believe during these last days we need to have those close in front of us that we can trust to follow in their footsteps...and we are to have those behind us...learning by our example that we are not always the leader...sometimes we follow.
A good leader must be a good follower!
Following is what Jesus came here doing...He followed the Father!
He modeled the life of out of control...the life of surrender!
All He said and all He did, He pointed to the Father!
Then, He said, "If you've seen me, You've seen the Father!"
Glooorrryyyy!!!
That is what I want said about me...how about you?
LORD, grant that I be able to say to those You've given me..."Follow me as I follow Christ!"
Then, when I see You, LORD, I will be soooo excited to hear..."Well done, Teddi, thy good and faithful servant."
I pray for you that you hunger and thirst after righteousness every day of your life, and that you also desire with all your heart to say and to hear these same words.
Until the next time...
Teddi
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