Isaiah 56:10-11
Israel’s watchmen are blind,
they all lack knowledge;
they are all mute dogs,
they cannot bark;
they lie around and dream,
they love to sleep.
They are dogs with mighty appetites;
they never have enough.
They are shepherds who lack understanding;
they all turn to their own way,
they seek their own gain.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
People
are watching. So when we act like fools while driving and gesture
wildly at the person who sits at the green light or slips into a parking
spot ahead of us – all while sporting a Christian fish symbol or a
bumper sticker advertising our church - people scratch their heads. On
social media, we bash our ex…post suggestive or off-color comments and
stories…or go off on tangents about political candidates and social
issues, how lousy the refs were at our favorite team’s latest game, and
gripe about whatever is bugging us. Then our next post is about the new
Bible study or small group at our church – or a personal request for
prayer over some situation. And people wonder…”Is this what it means to
be a disciple of Christ?”
When we become Christians and give our
hearts to Jesus, we become God’s “watchmen” and “shepherds”. We cannot
focus on our own agendas or say that we trust God for all things while
wringing our hands over the latest struggle or frustration. We cannot
say, “I give God complete power and authority over my life,” and then
post a cartoon on Facebook that makes a “dig” at someone else – or
expresses a sentiment that is in any way unkind, disrespectful, or
self-serving.
In this scripture passage, Isaiah is talking about
the religious leaders as “shepherds” who were more like the “sheep” they
were supposed to be guiding…lost, confused, and wandering aimlessly.
We who are true Disciples of Christ must not do this. We must pay
attention to what God is calling us to do…and where He is leading us.
We must fully trust Him to number our steps…and our words and actions
have to reflect this!
You cannot have an agenda and be a true –
and effective – Disciple of Christ. It just cannot be about you…or me…or
the other guy. It has to be about Jesus! I’ll be honest with you…I
work on this every day. But lately I have been strongly convicted that
even my private thoughts must reflect Jesus’ teachings. Even if I say
and do all the right things…but I have unkind, critical, or selfish
thoughts about other people and situations, I am a “shepherd who lacks
understanding.”
We must give EVERYTHING to God…and strive daily
to operate in His will…on His terms…and completely under His
leadership. Will this be easy? Absolutely not! Will it be worth the
effort? Remember…with God, ALL THINGS are possible! Whose agenda are you
focused on? Are you a “mute dog” or a dedicated servant? It’s time
for us to open our eyes, wake up, watch and listen to the Holy Spirit as
He guides us through each and every day. It’s time to make a
difference – not a point…to seek God’s gain – not our own. People ARE
watching. When they look at you...what - and WHO - do they see?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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