The Tent: A safe place for shepherds to reflect together
RegisterRegister   Log inLog in 

Keeping watch

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic
ShepherdLeader.com Forum Index -> While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks -> Day 16: While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
pdavelee



Joined: 11 Apr 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Chicago, IL

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2008 1:55 am    Post subject: Keeping watch Reply with quote

Whenever I ask the man in a couple how things are going, he usually forms his response by checking whether his partner happens to be angry with him or not. If she’s mad at him that day, things are not going well. If she isn’t made, things are going OK. That reveals such a shallow analysis. It’s as if men don’t actually think about the true condition of their relationship…they just glance at the countenance of their partner the way one glances at the flag on a golf course to see which way the wind is blowing.

I think we pastors do that a lot too. At least I do. I miss so much of the danger that our congregation faces because I am not always watching as intently as I should. I get lazy and start to just glance at the flock or listen for a moment – and if there seem to be no signs of crisis, I resume my distraction-filled guard duty. Am I really protecting my flock if, through negligence and laziness, I don’t see anything more than a casual observer would see?

One thing that really struck me is how proactive shepherds are in keeping watch over their flocks. I tend to be so reactive. I put out the brush fires that trip the smoke detectors. I oil the hinges that won’t stop squeaking. When I was younger I often referred to policemen as “journalists with guns” because they usually come after a crime has taken place, and basically start to interview people and clean up the mess. But recently I read an article about how New York City is making a massive investment in preventive anti-terrorism measures – using technology and techniques that help them spot trouble before it happens. That’s more the way a true shepherd keeps watch.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
ShepherdLeader.com Forum Index -> While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks -> Day 16: While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks
Post new topic   Reply to topic All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   ProfileProfile   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group