MORNING MEDITATION

“Testimony Of Service!”

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“Testimony Of Service!”(Acts 20:17-38).
On the occasion of her fifth birthday my granddaughter asked the grandmother to buy her a baby doll. Since that day my heart melts each time I see her giving loving attention to the doll. Sometimes she brings the baby to me and compels me to carry. In the morning she will ask me whether I’ve greeted the baby, etc. I often imagine how she’ll grow up to be such a loving and caring mum.
Parents play the role of shepherding role when they take care of their children until they grow up. The role of the shepherd is to lead the flock to green pastures, control them as they graze, lead them to the stream to drink water and at sundown bring them back to the pen.
In the Church pastors, elders, group leaders all play the same role of shepherding. And in an extensive way, any Christian is a shepherd of others when s/he serves as “my brother’s keeper.”
Each shepherd has to be accountable for the flock under his or her care because shepherds are not owners. We all belong to God and to Christ, both of whom are the good shepherds par excellence!
A Christian shepherd should not hesitate to preach anything that would be helpful to the flock. S/he should serve the Lord with great humility.
I remember discussing with a pastor from Europe who told me he serves in a congregation that can afford his services only for two weeks in a month. It is evident in such settings that the pastoral ministry cannot be full time. As such the “tent making ministry” is encouraged. Even when pastors serve fulltime, the stipend which they receive is pitiable.
Before leaving for Jerusalem, Paul called the Ephesian elders and in his farewell speech among other things, he said, “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace which can build you up… I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’…”
Wherever we are called to service, may our certificates of service be a true relection of how we cared for the flock under our care without being a burden to them. We should as a point of service give not only our time and services, but to also provide for the destitute.
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit guide me so that I may be a faithful shepherd in the service of the Lord. Amen!
Have a blessed Labour Day Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang

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