A good shepherd does not limit his flock to only one field due to concerns of losing his herd nor does the shepherd only cater to certain ones in the field that have something to give them in return. He learns to respect each individual for who they are under God while teaching them how to grow to their full potential without allowing any divisions within the body. As they mature he watches from a distance as the flock learns to live in the freedom of the spirit by understanding the discipline in the Word of God to live a full life led by God without being restricted by man.
A true shepherd does not lead his herd from the front but he learns to guide their direction from rear. He is not to let one in his flock wander off without looking for them to show them the way back home while searching for others that may be lost from other herds in the wilderness of this world. He does not force them to return or condemn them when they may get lost. But he welcomes them with open arms full of love as the others rejoice when another rejoins the flock in the field of true fellowship.
When a shepherd does not teach his flock how to move in this world from one place to the next then it is easy for the sheep to feel restricted and even lose nutrients over time. In restricting the flock it causes some to jump fence, others to wander off, and even some to starve by not not learning how to live and move in this fallen world. There is great joy when we learn to live and respect our position under God but even more so when we hear that call of the shepherd to find our way back home…amen
James Harrison
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