Precious Moments That Count For EternitySample

A Leader’s Real Assignment

The first picture of Jesus I can ever remember seeing, is one that portrays Him as the Good Shepherd, with His sheep following Him closely and one little lamb cuddled in His arms. I realize that picture is supposed to be what I’m about. And that’s for you too - if God has entrusted you with any kind of influence or direction in people’s lives. Your template is supposed to be that of a shepherd, of whom people say, “He or she sure makes a person feel loved”.
In 1 Peter 5:2, God points out the essential qualities of leadership. What’s the Biblical picture of being a leader? Shepherding: leading the sheep, not lording it over them. Loving the sheep, not using them for your own ends. Demonstrating more than demanding.
A shepherd always leads the sheep to what they need. If you’ve been entrusted with people to lead, it’s your job to gently direct them to what they need emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally - and to know when they need encouraging, and when they need correcting, and when they need loving.
Shepherding also means keeping your sheep from wandering - establishing clear boundaries and pulling them back at the first sign of wandering. Being a shepherd means protecting your sheep from the enemy.
And Jesus taught us one other thing the ‘good shepherd’ does. He said, “He calls his own sheep by name” (John 10:3). In other words, if you’re a good shepherd, you will give each of your sheep individual attention.
Jesus was a shepherd, and now He’s called you to be one, trusting you with some of the sheep He died for.

Prayer
Lord, give me a heart like Yours, that I may be able to lead and direct the people that You have entrusted to me. Amen.