By Jackie Weber
This photo has prompted many musings on its poignancy. Last week, I commented on that stuck feeling and the angst we all experience at times when we hit a barrier that we cannot seem to move beyond.
In those moments, it is helpful to question ourselves: Is the barrier of our own making? Is the barrier that once served us well, now only a hindrance? Have we stepped back and reassessed the situation with the Lord as our counselor and conversation partner?
It can be tough to discern what lies in front of us and how to move forward. Our senses, emotions, or the enemy might be deceiving us. Or… we may be seeing and sensing clearly, but our interpretation of when and how to move forward may be off a bit. I do not think any seasoned follower of Christ would say it is always easy to know how to proceed. Discernment can be tricky, but we are not left alone without help.
David, the shepherd-king and composer of Psalm 25, understood the way forward – God’s way – is found in becoming a student of the Good Shepherd. After all, how can we mature as under-shepherds if we have not committed to being His serious apprentices?
“Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”
— Psalm 25:4–5
Apprenticeship. Discipleship. Deeply committing to our Shepherd as Teacher is never a quick, immediate process. The western person, in particular, may easily grow impatient with this long abiding, watching, listening to, and practicing what He does. It seems, though, that at least part of the answer to becoming unstuck may be in the daily obedience of learning to train our eyes on Him.
Or He may be asking us to wait on Him to move. To deepen our trust and grow in intimacy so much so that we can rest, as leaders of others, in the unknown until He leads us forward. Maybe in the waiting He is growing the courage in us to step around the old barriers… in His timing, as He leads.
Dear fellow under-shepherd, do you feel stuck? It may be time for an honest self-assessment and conversation with the Good Shepherd. He is not limited by your circumstances or by the attitudes and decisions of others. He offers you Himself, to be known by you. And He offers a knowing that is more than academic. It is personal, experiential, intimate. In the abiding with Him you will find He is more than capable of leading you forward in His paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake, and for His glory. After all, what other paths would we ever want to take?
“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
— Psalm 23:3
DIGGING DEEPER QUESTIONS:
- What areas of your leadership need your honest assessment?
- What about those you are leading? What honest assessment would they benefit from?
- Are there barriers between you and your sheep? What do you need to do in order to help remove those barriers?
This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Click here for Part 1.
