Shepherds of the country

Wed, Oct 1st 2014, 10:40 PM

"And there in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night." Luke 2:8
Yes I am aware that Christmas is behind us and this is a new year, but the message of God's word is not for one season or one year, but until he comes. For every time that we read the Bible, new inflections, reflections and inspirations come to us and upon us, even though it may be four in the morning and you are up coloring your hair! How refreshing it is to go to bed early and wake up during the early hours of the morning and in the quietness thereof "he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own".
While there are beautiful buildings of historic and ancient value, snow-capped mountains, flowing streams, green plains and fields and scattered volcanic lava beaches, for me it is the people residing where visits would take me that I take the most interest in. I watch as they drive, their movements, their work ethic and their compliance to the law and overall orderliness of their land. I look at their streets and homes, the way they manage the roads in their vehicles of one mode or the other. I see them at work in offices, stores and in market places and the text comes to mind - shepherds of the country in their respective vocations, even though it may be in the dead of night, not complaining but giving due diligence to the task at hand, lowly and humbly it may be in the eyes of society!
A vocation is not a job just for the money, but rather a calling that mostly involves the best of God's creation - people. It is stewardship and accountability. The constituency is the politician's sheep, the students are the teachers sheep, the congregation is the minister's sheep, the chief executive of the land is responsible for all the sheep of the land. Due care and attention must be given to the sheep for green and fertile pastures produce healthy and happy sheep!
How are the doctor and the obstetrician to complain in the middle of the night if acute illness or delivery of a newborn is taking place? Could they chide the patients and tell them they should wait until daybreak? Or what about Clark fussing the death angel for coming to reap at ungodly hours of the night? How about the emergency vehicle driver sucking his teeth about a horrific accident at four in the morning or the priest ignoring urgent calls to give the last rites to a member on death bed?
There are some positions that it is not about the money or overtime, but the ministering to the needs of others in spite of.
Recently I listened to a retired methodist minister share a thought on sheep. He told of how for a Christmas play they decided to use live animals for the manger scene. Getting permission from a farmer member to borrow 12 of his sheep, he and a deacon drove the truck to the pen and devised a plan of how to get them in the back of the truck. After a long time, while getting two in and two running out and away, they finally ended up with two sheep for the scene. He said he never knew that sheep were so difficult and needed 24/7 attention and care. And so are people; why do you think Jesus always referred to them as "sheep"?
If we, as a people, would only be as the shepherds who saw the sheep more important than the hazards of the financial dew, medical snow, political sleet or criminal elements of rain, and no matter the hour would go and search for straying sheep not in the fold of all that bodes well for a peaceful, healthy, prosperous, educated, environmental savvy, kind and courteous nation, then indeed we would be the nation that the world takes a positive look at the "manner of our bearing".
I firmly believe that 2014 is going to be our best year ever. Crooked paths will become straight. Those in darkness will see a great light. Deserts will become lush fields. Idleness will become into thriving industries. Cleanliness will become godliness. National and civic pride will reign supreme. Sinners will become saints and shepherds of every age and stage will shake off their drossy sleep and give due attention to their sheep.
o E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, The Bahamas with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God's blessings!

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