Dear friends,

Who are you following? Who is YOUR shepherd? Here is another question: Who are YOU shepherding? Is anyone following your lead?

The reason I ask is this, we can all be doing ministry. We can all be  ‘going through the motions.’  We can each think we are on a TEAM but, in fact, are not really in the game or even on the team we thought we were on. In fact, others we think may be on the team with us can likewise not be hearing the same plays being called as we are hearing. Here is what scripture says:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:1-5).

In studying this passage, I have learned a few relevant aspects of shepherding:

1. Shepherds would go into towns and share sheep pens with other shepherds while rotating, standing at the ‘door’, as other shepherds would shop, sleep, tend to business, etc. Shepherds are diligent to know the state of their flocks.
2. Thieves and robbers would wait and try to steal and kill sheep when a lazy or very tired shepherd was carelessly attending the door of the sheepfold. Shepherds are protectors of their flock.
3. When shepherds would return to the sheepfold and switch sentry duty with other shepherds they would do so because as the doorkeeper they would recognize other shepherds as shepherds they were sharing the sheepfold with. Shepherds recognize other shepherds and avoid hirelings.
4. While in the sheepfold, the sheep would intermingle with other sheep and would then need to be sorted out in order to return to their shepherd. Shepherds spend time with their flock.
5. When a shepherd would want to leave town with his sheep he would sing a song and start calling HIS sheep by name. HIS sheep would come because they answered the voice of THEIR shepherd. Shepherds have personal relationships within their flock.
6. If a hireling came in and tried to mimic the shepherd the sheep would not obey because they would “by no means follow a stranger.” Shepherds disciple their flocks to know incorrect doctrine.
7. Shepherds LEAD sheep. You can’t ‘round up sheep.’ Sheep are not simply herded. Sheep are lead prayerfully, patiently and carefully.

So, who are you following? Who is YOUR shepherd? Who are YOU shepherding? Is anyone following your lead? Think about it for a moment. It could change your life.

We have seen our Lord continue to save many young souls here at YDI the past couple of weeks. Thank you, Jesus! It is so beautiful to watch and a joy to share with you. One 15 year-old boy who came up was so hard and expressionless. We found out from his youth pastor that both of his parents had recently committed suicide. That is a deep wound that very few of us, if any, can truly relate to. We could feel your prayers as our Lord softened and cracked the hardness in this young boy’s heart and poured His love and hope into him. We watched, as he wept on his youth pastor’s shoulder, the Lord dry his tears and bring salvation to his life and a smile to his face. Praise the Lord!

Please remember to pray for parents, youth pastors, children’s church workers, nursery volunteers, and, really, anyone who is in a position to shepherd our children in the ways of the Lord. It is a daily battle. Let us pray that they will not grow weary as they lead our children toward Jesus!

Blessings,

Chapin Marsh