Who’s on the Missing List?
“I haven’t seen them for ages. They’re just not around anymore. It’s too bad but that’s just the way it is.”
“Yeah, I’ve been really missing them. I remember at hymn sings they would be the last ones to put down their song sheets. I remember their home being a real busy place – they genuinely enjoyed having people into their home. They were at their happiest when they could help out here and there.”
“I remember them coming over to see me when I was going through a rough time. I won’t tell you what it was, but at the time, it was a pretty big thing. I remember opening the door and the both of them just stood there. I’ll never forget the sincerity that radiated from their faces. They didn’t have to say a word. Their presence said it all……..wow! Just talking about them, makes me so lonesome. I’m so sad they’re not around anymore. I guess they are among the ‘missing.’
And how many others are on the same ‘missing list’?
If there is one kind of heart the Lord appreciates, loves and can relate to – it is a shepherd’s heart. He is presented throughout the Word of God as the Shepherd God. The God who loves, watches out for, nourishes, protects, preserves and restores His sheep.
Tragically many shepherds mentioned in the Bible failed miserably allowing the sheep to stray in dangerous paths far away from God. God pronounced severe judgment on careless and failing shepherds in the nation of
But when you read Jeremiah 23:4 you can not help but be excited about a future day when
“I will set shepherds over them
who will care for them,
and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed,
neither shall any be missing,
declares the LORD.”
(Jeremiah 23:4 ESV)
Whether it is the Nation of Israel in the past or in a future day or the flock of God today gathered in local companies of believers around the world, shepherding the flock is near and dear to the heart of the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd does not even want to see one sheep missing. (Luke 15:3) The Great Shepherd – the Risen Christ watches over the flock for which He bled. (1Peter 2:25)
Elders in a local church have the Holy Spirit assigned responsibility to shepherd the flock – to care for the sheep; to watch over them; to correct them; to guard and guide the sheep. They are the under-shepherds working on behalf of the Chief Shepherd Christ Himself. (1Peter 5:1-4)
Now you’re getting into this Bible Bite.
“Give it to them,” you say. “I’ve been waiting for you to tear a strip off them. I can’t do it because it would be insubordination and I’d get nailed, if I ever confronted the so-called shepherds with their shortcomings!”
Shhh. Sounds like you need to get alone before the Lord to confess your own shortcomings. Confess your bitterness and the explosion of negative feelings.
Dear child of God, pray for those who are officially shepherding the local flock. They have their failures and they also have things in their own lives with which they are dealing. Dwelling on the failures of elders and constantly highlighting their shortcomings is unproductive but more seriously – it’s debilitating. You are hurting yourself and damaging others by your negativity. Give it up.
If you would like to contribute positively to the things of God, focus on developing shepherd-like qualities yourself. If you would like to see more care displayed, more compassion and more nurturing in others – start showing it yourself.
Ask the Lord to develop in you the very traits and qualities you feel some are missing. If you happen to see someone drifting, or missing more frequently, or being marginalized and alone, sensitively and prayerfully reach out to them.
Shepherding requires you to set your own interests aside; allow your plans to be interrupted; allow yourself to be inconvenienced and your valuable time to be used in connecting with others. It’s not easy but it is God-like. Rather than focusing on what others are not doing, in the fear of God start doing what you can do to minimize the numbers on the missing list.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ
Peter Ramsay