“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.”
Friends, I do not know about you but right about now as the world continues to open up, our hearts, bodies, and souls are opening up to all the places inside of us long devastated by this long pandemic. What all did we lose? How were our minds broken and scattered? What hits did our hearts take relationally, financially, spiritually? How does our soul need strength?
God is upset. He is upset at the shepherds of Israel and he is holding them accountable. The shepherds had been unfaithful. The shepherds had been untrustworthy. They failed to seek and find the lost. They failed to search or seek them out. They fed themselves and did not feed the flock. The sheep were scattered and “became food for every beast.” (Ezekiel 34:5-6). There were many sick and diseased. The shepherds did not lead the sheep to life.
Yet, the God of the universe has a word for the weak. “I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.” (Ezekiel 34:11) The God of the verbos (verbs) is active and in motion. I will care. I will seek. I will deliver on a cloudy and gloomy day. I will gather them and bring them. I will feed them, by the streams, near good pasture. The sheep will lie down in good grazing ground. Eventually, this Great Shepherd will lead them to rest.
Friends, I do not know about you but right about now as the world continues to open up, our hearts, bodies, and souls are opening up to all the places inside of us long devastated by this long pandemic. What all did we lose? How were our minds broken and scattered? What hits did our hearts take relationally, financially, spiritually? How does our soul need strength?
Last week I went to donate blood because there’s a nationwide shortage. My friend Kate who is a nurse announced at our church about this Emergency Blood Drive. I’ve been a blood donor for years. To my surprise, after driving in LA. traffic that has begun to return to pre-COVID proportions, I wasn’t able to donate blood. “Mr Raimo, did you know you have low blood iron? You could faint if you donated blood today. Your iron deposits are extremely low.” The way my body has felt deeply fatigued for months all of a sudden made complete sense. I am depleted. We all are. My body was telling me the state of my soul. I am on the mend to be led back to nourishing food, exercise, and soul care.
My prayer for you is that as leaders you will be led by this Great, Good Shepherd. God who seeks to bring consolation to all the places of desolation is here to meet us with stored up mercy. As the world opens back up—quickly, it seems—may you not be quick to neglect a holy rest and invite a re-set. As we return to familiar relationships or old/new workplaces, may you lead out of being led. May your soul’s iron deposits be filled up by your Good Shepherd who longs to bring you life, light, and rest!
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