06 12 07 Shepherd the Flock

“The elders who are among you I exhort, I am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed.
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you,
serving as overseers, not by compulsion, but willingly,
not for dishonest gain but eagerly. --- being examples to the flock---.”
(1 Peter 5:1-4)

I realize this passage is for pastors and elders of the church, however I agree with writer and speaker, Pastor Crawford Loritts, Jr. in his book Never Walk Away (Moody Press, Chicago, IL, 1997), when he writes, “I think a good secondary application has to do with the role of a father in the home. Leadership in the home has both to do with direction and protection---creating the environment in which they (the children) can have a relative degree of safety.”

Genuine fatherhood is ignored today. Have sex---have a baby---boom---you’re a father! That’s neither God’s intention nor his definition. A father should first be a husband, but as the result of sin and a downward spiral of our society, we have many issues to deal with and many actions we need to repent of and now move on by the grace of God. It does not stop a father from being a leader, a role model, and a shepherd of his flock! Men need to once and for all step up and be strong, confident, and (like their DADDY) be leaders, protectors, and providers. It’s hard however, without knowing the God who created us or seeing a Godly example to follow.

That’s where the rest of us step in! We need to be a light; a shining beacon of light set upon a hill so other young men and boys can see what a Godly man is: not perfect, but strong in character, humble, willing to serve his family and others, possessing a power and strength from within, and unashamedly living for Christ in everyday life!

Our fatherhood mantel doesn’t come from muscles, wealth, or titles. It comes from knowing and doing the will of our DADDY. Each day we humble ourselves before Him and ask for Hs help and guidance. Don’t be afraid to say “I’m sorry” to our spouse and children; what a way to exemplify our dependency upon our God! REAL Daddies never walk away, but rather run after the things of God and the things of their families. A shepherd would never leave the flock uncared for, even going after the one who is most lost. He keeps a gate of protection around the sheep (our prayers). His rod wards of enemy attackers and reels back in the strays (God’s Word is our sword!). He’s willing to stay up late and get up early (willing to sacrifice). Our begging question men: “Will we shepherd the flock?” I Wanna’ be Like My DADDY, was a favorite song of my daughter as she grew up. I loved it to. In fact, I still hum it from time to time to remind myself, I still have work to do!