Being a shepherd is a high calling that many don't answer, but we all walk in it in some way - whether as a parent, or a boss, or anytime someone looks to us for guidance. It's not something that happens instantly, but tends to develop over time as our relationships grow and can be a thankless, lonely, or treacherous job. Ask yourself - who is my flock? Who has God entrusted to me or put in my life to guide? He calls us to be shepherds and not hired hands who will run at the first sign of trouble. David was a literal shepherd and through that, God taught him how he needed to lead His people. There are four things we must do to be a shepherd. First is to lead. In order to do this, we must take a hard self-inventory and get rid of what doesn't fit to be a person who leads others to Jesus. Second, we must feed them by considering their needs, filling ourselves up on the Word, and sharing it with them. Third, we must protect. Shepherds don't have a choice - it's the job description to watch over those you are called to protect. This can be hard if you don't spend time with or love and care for a person - they won't listen to you. Your staff is the Word of God, to ward off the bad with the Truth. Lastly, there must be love - unshakeable, unconditional love where we give of ourselves. This includes holding people accountable and sometimes saying things we would rather not say. We also must have people who hold us accountable or else we can't be good shepherds for others.

Amen!

Reference verses: 1 Samuel 17:32-36; John 10:1-5, 10-15; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2; John 21:17; Matthew 28:20; Acts 20:28-31; 2 Corinthians 2:4; Isaiah 56:9-12