Feed My Lambs

In taking another look at the story of the Loving Samaritan, I’ve seen another perspective on one’s neighbor: whomever I perceive to have a need that I can meet through Christ, or can help meet. At times, I have mistakenly thought that loving someone meant that I was to be their life-long, best friend. In this story, love wasn’t necessarily about the Samaritan being a life-long best friend to the injured man; I think he would have rather said, “I’m wounded. My need is for someone to take care of my wounds, no matter who it is.” So, in general, it’s helpful for me to ask, “If I put myself in so-and-so’s shoes, what would my need be?”

But when I ask that question, I recall certain people I’ve known who I’ve had difficulty discerning their need of the moment or season. I’ve had difficulty either because their lives seem to be going so great all the time, or because they have been so introverted that their need is unperceivable. But now, different events and circumstances have gotten me to realize that despite this, there has always been a need, whether or not it was realized or articulated. That need, I’ve realized, is the need to be led in the way of Christ. So often, I’ve wanted to bring these people on par as peers, having the expectation that they have the ability, the capability, the motivation, to lead themselves (be led by Christ). Experience has proved otherwise—without an active leading figure in their lives, many will cast off restraint, going through long seasons of self-indulgence. As a result, I realize that the same message that was driven home during my second year in Davis is being driven home to me now: “Lead my people; feed my lambs.”

True, Spirit-empowering leadership in my life has always been a direct result of my quenched thirst to have more of Christ in all of my life. It supernaturally renews my own life, and gives new life of those around me. And whether said or unsaid, the need for many is to be led. God grant me a continued thirst and quenching of that thirst to faithfully carry out what He’s entrusted.

“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.”
Proverbs 29:18