06-Apr-2024 – You are a shepherd of your own life.

Published by Sunil Binkam on April 6, 2024April 6, 2024

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds – Ezekiel 34:2

In this verse, the Lord tells the prophet to publish these words unto the shepherds of Israel. These are the leaders who lead the people of Israel. The analogy of shepherd is very much used to convey the importance of responsibility and leadership in the life of a believer.

Even though these words are meant for shepherds and pastors in general, we being believers can also learn from these words. May the Spirit of Lord enable us to understand the essence of these words.

By calling out the irresponsibility of these shepherds, God highlights the important responsibilities of a shepherd.

1. Strengthen the weak: The shepherd is responsible for strengthening the weaker ones. By giving more nutritious food and taking extra care he should strengthen them.
2. Heal the sick: The shepherd also provides medicine for the sheep suffering from any illness.
3. Bind the broken: Some times the sheep crosses rocky and difficult terrains and they may get hurt by falling down and get wounded. The shepherd takes care of them by binding their wounds.
4. Bring again the driven out ones: Some times, to discipline, a shepherd might drive away some sheep from the flock. But his purpose is not to abandon them. He will bring them back again.
5. Seek the lost: Some times during a journey to rough path, some sheep may be lost while following their shepherd. Once shepherd finds something is lost, he will seek for the lost and gather it again.

In general these responsibilities are for a shepherd ordained by God to lead a group of believers. But when we look at our lives individually, we are the shepherds of our own life and family.

In our life there are strong areas and weaker areas. For example, a person is very strong and committed in providing the necessary resources to the family and taking care of the needs of the family. But he might be suffering from a weakness of smoking, or drinking or gambling or some other bad habits that hurts either health, family of finances. Now being the shepherd of our own life, we must strengthen those areas through the word of God. How a shepherd leads the sheep for better pasture, we must lead ourselves to the rich and biblical teachings via the ordained pastor and leaders of our associated church.

In our life physically when we are sick, we will go to a doctor and get the treatment. But there are some wounds in our life which cannot be healed physically. In the world people use an example of a broken glass which cannot be mended. But for us, being believers of Jesus Christ, there is nothing that cannot be healed. Being the shepherd of our own life, we must use the word of God to heal our wounds. Connecting with the church, you are associated is important. Because, through the pastor, God releases the word to heal your wounds.

Similarly, sometimes we go through broken situations. Our expectations are shattered. Suddenly things may get worse in a 180 degree on negative side. But the word of God has the capability to bind those wounds. That’s why being the shepherd of our own life, we must always be depending upon the word of God to bind these kinds of wounds.

Some times, in our life we will abandon some things for the sake of a sudden temperament. For example, you are actively involving in the gospel work in your church. But suddenly someday someone commented about the way you worked and how it was impacting the whole team. You got hurt and left the team and that ministry completely. But that should not be a permanent one. God has given you this ability and opportunity to seek the lost souls. You must be encouraged with the word of God and resume your ministry again.

It is also possible that in our life, we will be lost or gets out of touch in doing somethings. In olden days, I used to worship hours together, or in few years back, I used to pray for anything and everything. But now, I am lost and got out of touch. But being the shepherd of our own life, it is our responsibility to seek these kinds of lost good characters and activities and find bring them back for our own edification.

It is the work of God which made you to assume this responsibility, because you are born again now because of the sacrifice of our ultimate good shepherd. You and I are being transformed into his image. So we are expected to display the characteristics of our good shepherd.

Prayer

Dear loving heavenly Father, thank you for your wonderful love and grace. Thank you for speaking to us today via the portion of warning the shepherds. Today you also taught us a new perspective about shepherding. We are the shepherds of our own life. Various aspects our life are the sheep. Help us Lord to rely on the pasture of the word of God and lead my life according to your will. I pray in the name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen!