“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. And though you were my shepherds, you didn’t search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve. [Ezekiel 34.7-8]
In the midst of changes in a church one time I heard a pastor say, "We will not pursue you if you decide to leave..." It grieved me when I heard it then and today I am reminded of that time and given clarity as to why it not only grieved me (which is insignificant) but why it grieved God.
Too often, church leadership forgets that the flock they lead is God's and not their own. Consequently, they feel 'led by God' to make decisions that ultimately divide and hurt the flock. However, they cannot be 'led by God' and bring damage to their flock! If they abandon the flock, even a portion of it, they have grieved God by refusing to selflessly care for the entire flock.
I am not saying that wayward sheep are easy to deal with. But I am saying they are God's and, as such, are the responsibility of the shepherds to pursue and care for.
Father, help me to see Your heart for Your people. Help me to understand that Your people are Yours and not mine! Help me to see that in no way am I qualified to choose which sheep I will shepherd and which I will abandon - that is Your role and Your role alone.
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