Verses: John 10 : 7 - 21
My thoughts about the verses:
For just one second let us imagine that the story is talking about a group of believers. There are four different types of individuals that make up the group. All four exist in most groups. The important thing is to look at who you are in the group. Determine if you like who you are. If you do how do you keep growing? If you do not like whom you are in the group how do you change?
The first group that I want to talk about is the sheep. Many of us are the sheep of the group. We gather because we consider ourselves part of the group. Casually observing what happens around us. Every once in a while we actively participate when we feel that it is something that we truly believe in. When we feel the call we become active and do what Jesus desires us to do. Then once that pull on our heart strings is met we go back to our own grazing. Yet, will respond each and every time God calls on our name.
There are also Robbers that are in the group. These are individuals that are in it for the fame and glory. They come in the door with big plans. Yet, they are only there for a little while. When they lose being the center of attention they sneak out the first open window. They move from group to group giving talents, but only those they desire to share. They give money as long as they are seeing what they want done. Yet, they pull that also when their passion moves out of the center. It isn't that they do not do well. The truth is that there are a lot of things that they accomplish every day. The problem is that they lose their focus of why they are doing what they do. Instead of making what they do important they make themselves the important part.
The third group is the worker. The worker is the person who does whatever is needed. They spend all their energy making sure that the little things are done. The group would not survive without these little worker bees. Yet, there is something that happens to this group. The members get tired and burned out. They feel like they are responsible for so much that it doesn't bring them the joy they first received. People take for granted what they do and little is offered to them for what they do. Even though they are not seeking praise they get tired of pushing themselves to the limit while they see others not working. They often will stay in the group, but will move from the worker to the sheep status. It is very hard once they move to that status to bring them back to the worker status. Yet, they can be encouraged to take on smaller jobs that have set time frames and responsibilities.
The Shepherd is a much different person. This person is a leader in one specialized area. They realize that they are good at one thing and instead of spreading their energy among many areas they concentrate on this one. They are also good at letting others share the spotlight. They want to encourage as many people as they can to use their own talent. They shepherd individuals take on responsibility. Members of the group in general seek these people out when they have concerns. They are leaders because of their dedication. They are seen as constants and are missed when not present. The one thing about this group of individuals is that they have a hard time stepping outside of their current role. They are so committed that they feel that they have to do the role they are performing or it will not be done. They often push themselves very hard and sacrifice their good for the good of the group.
As you can see each group has good and bad sides. The sheep watch and participate when they have a pulling of the heart strings. The robber runs in and does great things but leaves if people do not applaud their actions. The worker does all of the small things but can face burn out. The Shepherd is strong in one activity to the point of sacrificing their good.
Prayer:
God thank you for giving freely of your gift of love. Dear God we thank you for putting a heart of service in us. We ask that we do your will all the time. We ask that you put our will to the back and help us keep focused on you. In your holy name we pray. Amen
Questions:
Do you feel like a member of the group? Which role are you playing today? Where are you in that role? Where would you like to be? Do you need to change your current role? What talent can you give to the service of the church that you have kept to yourself?
My thoughts about the verses:
For just one second let us imagine that the story is talking about a group of believers. There are four different types of individuals that make up the group. All four exist in most groups. The important thing is to look at who you are in the group. Determine if you like who you are. If you do how do you keep growing? If you do not like whom you are in the group how do you change?
The first group that I want to talk about is the sheep. Many of us are the sheep of the group. We gather because we consider ourselves part of the group. Casually observing what happens around us. Every once in a while we actively participate when we feel that it is something that we truly believe in. When we feel the call we become active and do what Jesus desires us to do. Then once that pull on our heart strings is met we go back to our own grazing. Yet, will respond each and every time God calls on our name.
There are also Robbers that are in the group. These are individuals that are in it for the fame and glory. They come in the door with big plans. Yet, they are only there for a little while. When they lose being the center of attention they sneak out the first open window. They move from group to group giving talents, but only those they desire to share. They give money as long as they are seeing what they want done. Yet, they pull that also when their passion moves out of the center. It isn't that they do not do well. The truth is that there are a lot of things that they accomplish every day. The problem is that they lose their focus of why they are doing what they do. Instead of making what they do important they make themselves the important part.
The third group is the worker. The worker is the person who does whatever is needed. They spend all their energy making sure that the little things are done. The group would not survive without these little worker bees. Yet, there is something that happens to this group. The members get tired and burned out. They feel like they are responsible for so much that it doesn't bring them the joy they first received. People take for granted what they do and little is offered to them for what they do. Even though they are not seeking praise they get tired of pushing themselves to the limit while they see others not working. They often will stay in the group, but will move from the worker to the sheep status. It is very hard once they move to that status to bring them back to the worker status. Yet, they can be encouraged to take on smaller jobs that have set time frames and responsibilities.
The Shepherd is a much different person. This person is a leader in one specialized area. They realize that they are good at one thing and instead of spreading their energy among many areas they concentrate on this one. They are also good at letting others share the spotlight. They want to encourage as many people as they can to use their own talent. They shepherd individuals take on responsibility. Members of the group in general seek these people out when they have concerns. They are leaders because of their dedication. They are seen as constants and are missed when not present. The one thing about this group of individuals is that they have a hard time stepping outside of their current role. They are so committed that they feel that they have to do the role they are performing or it will not be done. They often push themselves very hard and sacrifice their good for the good of the group.
As you can see each group has good and bad sides. The sheep watch and participate when they have a pulling of the heart strings. The robber runs in and does great things but leaves if people do not applaud their actions. The worker does all of the small things but can face burn out. The Shepherd is strong in one activity to the point of sacrificing their good.
Prayer:
God thank you for giving freely of your gift of love. Dear God we thank you for putting a heart of service in us. We ask that we do your will all the time. We ask that you put our will to the back and help us keep focused on you. In your holy name we pray. Amen
Questions:
Do you feel like a member of the group? Which role are you playing today? Where are you in that role? Where would you like to be? Do you need to change your current role? What talent can you give to the service of the church that you have kept to yourself?
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