Proverbs 27:23

Pay careful attention to the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds,

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When my son was about 7 years old, we used to walk down the street to Martin Luther the King Park (that’s what my kids called it). One day, he spotted this huge rock—bigger than him—and of course, being the boy he was, he had to try to move it.

 So he climbed up on it and then shifted around, got up under it, and here he’s going, giving it everything he’s got.  He’s pushing and he’s grunting and he’s trying to move this thing. And after a while he started to get frustrated. He started to get upset, and I’ve been watching him the whole time knowing this boy couldn’t pick up this rock. Finally, I came over and asked, “Son, why didn’t you use all the strength you have?”

He looked up at me, confused: “Daddy, I did.”

I said, “No, you didn’t–Because you’ve got to me! You could’ve called me at any time and I would’ve come to help you move that rock. Asking me is part of using all the strength you have.”

That moment came back to me when I read Proverbs 27:23:

“Pay careful attention to the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” 🐑

First you got to know that this is not just about sheep. Remember proverbs and wisdom sayings are often poetic so more than sheep—it’s about awareness. It’s about taking inventory (sacred stock) of what God’s already placed around you. Your gifts, yes—but also your own limits, and maybe more importantly, your connections. Sometimes the strength you need isn’t in you—it’s near you—in God, and in the people He’s placed around you. Just like my son had to realize his muscles weren’t enough, but he had access to his father’s strength.

Ben Okri once said,

“Don’t neglect the gold in your own backyard.”

Sometimes your greatest resource isn’t buried somewhere else—it’s already in the people and provision God has placed right beside you.

⚖️ But here’s the balance: people aren’t objects to be used. We dishonor God when we treat others like obstacles that we can just manipulate, vehicles that we can just use to get somewhere, or disposable trash that we can throw away when we’re finished. People are subjects—souls, connected to us. To honor them is to honor the Creator.

Remember this:

💡 You have more strength than you think—not just in your own hands, but in the community, gifts, and God-access already surrounding you so cultivate it with care.

Prayer

Lord, help us see strength and goodness in each other.

Today’s Challenge

Pause today and take sacred stock. Write down three gifts or relationships you’ve overlooked. Then thank God for them—and choose one way to honor or invest in them.

About the Author

Fred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch

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Be Wise and Be Well...peace.

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