“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock,
among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,
to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. ”
(Acts 20:28, NKJV)
I served God for close on twenty years before I realized that everyone in the Kingdom are called to feed and look after His lambs and sheep. At that stage my life was mainly focused on my professional career, my own family and working toward ensuring that we have a good life. I had no interest in God’s flock, and believed, like so many Christians, that it was a case of each man for himself, and the pastor for the rest.
Then one day God spoke to me in a supernatural manner, asking me to quit my job. I was to get baptized, commence fasting, and separate myself for a period of time.This I did, and prepared myself for what I was sure was to be a very great calling, if it was so important that God would risk my successful career to have me follow it J.
On a farm in Groot-Marico I awoke early one morning, and felt God say that I should climb toward a mountain located on the farm. The road uphill was through a sheep pen, and when I first entered the pen the sheep ignored me completely, lying contentedly, ruminating. I remember thinking how moronically sheepish sheep truly are.
Through the gate I slowly climbed to the top; the summit was high and the day already hot. When I arrived, huffing and puffing, I waited on God to speak to me. After a short while He did, in one sentence – “I call you to be a shepherd.” Nothing else. I was flabbergasted. It was so … ordinary. I demanded an explanation, but none came. After a long period of giving God the silent treatment, I was no longer feeling very spiritually inclined, and started walking back, still wrestling with His impertinence. I had a valid argument – I don’t like people, I prefer being on my own and doing my own thing, I am not good at serving people, and that there were many people (sheepish individuals, I am sorry to say) that have nothing better to do and who, in my opinion, can easily fill that position. He did not answer me.
The whole way back I fought with God, refusing to accept this calling, to no avail trying to negotiate with Him. In desperation I finally laid out a fleece before God – if this is from You, I want you to send me a sign. My hand opened the gate, and the next moment all the sheep in the pen arose like one sheep, started blaring, and started following me. I, the unwilling shepherd and selfish Samaritan, could do nothing but cry. I had given my first few hesitant steps as shepherd.
At home He gave me Isa 40:11 – “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.”
- Sela: Pray through Ezek 34.
- Read: 2 Kings 17; Jer 18; 2 Cor 1
- Memorise: 2 Cor 1:20
