Feed My Sheep

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. ~ 1 Peter 5:2-4

I looked up the word "Pastor" today - both its definition and the origin of the word. According to Webster's Dictionary, "Pastor" is "a spiritual overseer; especially a clergyman serving a local church or parish. Well, who am I to argue with Merriam Webster?! It's a "just the facts, ma'am" description - but that's a 'pastor'.  A spiritual overseer. Ok then.

According to Wikipedia "pastor" is derived from the Latin word pascere, meaning fed or grazed. Jeremiah 23:4 says  "And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord." ... That feels a little closer.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 95:7 that “He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care”. Jesus said in John 10:14 - “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me". And then we're told later in the Book of John, that the Resurrected Jesus told His Disciple Peter: "Peter, if you love me, feed my sheep". In other words - 'these are my people, Pastor. Take care of them as if they were your own - loving them, leading them by still waters, correcting their courses, tending to their wounds, guiding them to the green pastures where they can graze on the food of life. Rest them, care for them, go after them when they stray. And. Because you've taken on the role as "shepherd of the flock", Pastor, I'm going to hold you to a higher standard'. ... Now we're talking!

My Pastor is about as down-to-earth a guy as you'd ever want to meet. He's personable and friendly, and he's charmingly Southern. He's smart as a whip, steeped in knowledge of historical facts ... he could 'go there' with probably the most elite of Biblical scholars, religious teachers, etc., but when he's in the pulpit - he doesn't over complicate things. What's the point of preaching to someone if it's so complicated they give up before he gets to the 'good stuff'?!  I love this about him - he's honest, he laughs at himself, he wears jeans with holes in them sometimes, and he's well-versed in 80's music and pop culture. What's not to love? I've never met a person who ever had a bad thing to say about him. That says a lot about my pastor.

I started going to my church right when he came on board there as the lead pastor. I feel like he and I have been growing up together ever since. HE'S come a long way! But I've come a longer way still, following my pastor - as he follows the Good Shepherd, and obeying Him when He says "feed my sheep".

He's my example as I've watched him lay his fears at the foot of the cross. I've seen him on his knees at the altar and I've seen him crying in grief. He was raised by a single mom - I've found great comfort in this as a single mom myself. His mother is a source of hope for me. His father-in-law is my emergency contact, his wife is a light of Christian beauty and I've watched his kids grow up. I've seen him fight off the enemy, I've seen him tenderly embrace a grieving widow, feed homeless people, carry school supplies to poor children and I've seen him 'fist bump' the worship pastor, and high-five the youth.  I've seen him mad and I've seen him sad. I've seen him happy...

I've seen him broken...

I've seen him be manhandled...

I've seen him muddy...

Um - I've seen this...

He baptized me. He Baptized my son...

He spent time with me while my mother was in the hospital her final time - soothing my crushed soul and providing comfort to my worried mind.  He prayed over me and prayed for her. And when the time finally came, he prayed over her body as her soul entered the gates of Heaven. And then he loved on my family - as if they were just a part of the extended flock! As far as pastors go, I have to say I think he's one of the best!!  He means a great deal to me - and I have to believe that he's done countless good things for the other sheep in the fold. 

As far as the Merriam Webster definition of "pastor", I guess all the things he's done for me and the rest of us sheep - is really just "part of the job", along with sermon prep, weddings and funerals and other 'church related stuff'. I'm not trying to tell his business - but he does get paid!

But besides all the wonderful things he's done for me as a 'guy just doing his job', I wonder if he has any idea just how much the Holy Spirit uses him in my life?! Does he have any idea that he is a vessel, filled by God Himself and used to pour out His word into my heart? Does he even get it that when the Holy Spirit comes down on me in a way that I can't even describe - and is ushered straight into my soul - it comes right through him? I wonder how it feels to be a powerful tool in God's toolbox, or a weapon used to cut down the enemy on my behalf? Has it ever dawned on him that he's a mouthpiece? A microphone? A trumpet blasting into my ears the WORD of GOD?!! He has obeyed God - and taken on the job of feeding me the spiritual food that I need for sustenance. It's a big responsibility. Does he get the enormity of that?! I wonder if it ever occurred to him while on his knees in a trailer in Cullowhee, when He surrendered his life to Christ and ultimately accepted the call to pastor this church - what he was taking on when he opened up the pen and let me into the flock. 

Lately the Holy Spirit has been speaking so strongly to me through my pastor's sermons. And today, while feverishly jotting down more "nuggets" of Good News my God wanted me to hear, it washed over me that this guy is so humble, he just has no idea. Bless his heart! 

This is Easter weekend - and in 3 days my pastor has preached a 'homegoing' celebration for one of the dear sisters of the church, and preached a Good Friday service with Communion. Through his encouragement and his amplifying "love in action", he rallied an amazing team of church volunteers and a worship pastor (who must be the most organized person in history) to host a MASSIVE Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt on Saturday, the likes our town has never seen!! The numbers: 16,000 Easter Eggs stuffed with candy and goodies, 1000 pounds of Pork Barbecue, 500 Hotdogs, all the trimmings of a festival, and an estimated 3000 people from our community came and enjoyed - for free - what our little church put together! And then today - Sunrise Service, a 9am Service and 3 baptisms in our 11am Service.  And there he was in that 11am service - all unaware - that God was straight-up putting him to work as the special messenger delivering another package of truth and love into my heart. The Holy Spirit was on him, in him, all around him, using him - for me. I was compelled to come home from today's sermon and write about it. I wanted to let him know that I appreciate him - sure. But I also believe that God appreciates him too - and there is indeed a crown of glory on a shelf in Heaven - with his name on it. 

So God Bless my Pastor!  And if you're just a lost sheep wandering around out there - come to my pasture and my shepherd will let you in the gate.