SHEPHERDS: Be Warned

"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" - Jeremiah 23:1

Youth pastor: don't you love your job? Seriously. Don't you love what you get to do? I know that there is about 10% that you can't stand, of which you get paid for (i.e. - all nighters), but most of the time you would do it for free (and if you can't stand youth work and only do it for the pay, you are definitely not called to work with students and have picked the wrong profession to make the big bucks). But there comes a time when all shepherds must be confronted with the Great Shepherd's heart for his sheep.

The warning above from Jeremiah 21 reminds me of the high calling to be a shepherd of God's flock. He does not take it lightly. He expects his shepherds to care for his sheep the way that he wants them cared for. It is a scary thing to hear these words: "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 21:2; ESV). "I WILL ATTEND TO YOU..." These may be the scariest five words in all human language, because they are spoken from the mouth of God toward those shepherds who don't care for his sheep his way.

God's concern is for the sheep. God's call on those of us who call ourselves youth workers is to be a shepherd. He will guard and protect us. He will empower us for his purposes. However, if we start to neglect his flock, he gives us this warning: "I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:4; ESV).

I can be replaced. You can be replaced. The flock belongs to God. We are only the caretakers. It is necessary to constantly be asking Jesus how he wants his flock cared for and then to make sure that we get it done. If we don't, he will find someone else.

It's humbling isn't it?