Shepherding My Flock

Ready: 

“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly-not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.” -- 1 Peter 5:2 NLT

Set:

As a full-time FCA employee, I am given an opportunity to be around hundreds of high schoolers weekly and specifically work with the female student athletes. I see this as the flock God has entrusted to me. He has placed me to serve and care for many flocks of high school females. 

Shepherds watch their flock of sheep carefully because at any moment danger can pounce and attack. 

As a woman today in this world, I have personally seen the wolves that are around me and my flock of female student athletes: social media, comparison, pressures of popularity, toxic relationships, low self-worth, drama, gossip, and temptations. God has entrusted that I care for my flock by eagerly telling them the dangers of this world and steadily walking with them to help point out the wolves that are awaiting them. Being a leader of a flock means daily taking on a leadership role, but in order to lead, I must first surrender and admit I am a poor leader on my own. 

Jesus taught that the proud will be opposed, but the humble will be given grace (James 4:6). Pride’s main source is selfishness. If I lead my flock out of my own proud desires and ways, I would be leading them into the biggest pack of wolves. But if I humble myself and surrender my own ways and choose to lead with how God commanded and instructed—the ways found in Scripture—then I will lead my flock to safe fields and pastures. 

Being a shepherd for God means leading my flock to the Word. 

Being a shepherd for myself means leading my flock to the wolves.

What flock has God entrusted to you? Helpful hint: it is usually the people/community closest to you.

Go:

• Have you considered that your team is your flock?
• Are you a shepherd that leads your team to the wolves or to the Word?
• Are you creating time to read Scripture, so you know how to lead?
• How can you take steps to become a leader in each part of your life? (job, school, team)

Workout:

1 Peter 5:8; 1 Timothy 4:12-16; Matthew 28:19-20

Overtime:

“God, thank You for entrusting me with my flock. I pray that You help me lead them well. I pray You lead me to Your Word more, so I can lead my flock to Your Word, and not to the wolves. I pray I draw closer to You and Your instruction so that I can draw my team to safe fields and pastures. Amen.” 

Arbor Diggs

Arbor is an Area Representative with Knoxville, TN FCA. Arbor is passionate about reaching and impacting her athletes and students with the Good News of Jesus Christ. She lives with her husband Adam, who is also on staff as an Ambassador for FCA in Knoxville, TN.