March 25: A SHEPHERD'S PAIN

Did you ever ask or wonder what brings pain to your minister in his caring for your congregation? You might ought to ask him sometimes. It’s something you won’t hear him/her talk about too much. The Apostle John in his letter gave an explanation but it does not make the pain go away. “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us, but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” (I John 2:19 NIV)
It is a great pain to see a professing Christian turn his back on Christ. Church members come and go, that’s a natural. People grow spiritually and need to move on to another congregation or denomination to help them to another level spiritually. Nothing wrong with that! But when people who once were dedicated to the things of God begin to live the lifestyle of the worldly, that really hurts. I have met many people who thought they wanted to be Christians but when they became members of a church and realized it meant a change in lifestyle they dropped out. People are free to change their minds.
Most Pastors do have some insight into the human predicament. Although they are not seen as Prophets, they know from personal and prophetic experience that the individual who leaves God’s Word and God’s people behind are setting themselves up for a lot of pain. Regretfully, people always reap what they sow. (Galatians 6:7) The chickens come home to roost! That’s when the pain is multiplied. If you once were an active Christian but are now living a backslidden lifestyle, I expect somewhere today there is a Pastor grieving for what has happened to you.
If you are a faithful Christian, pray for your Pastor today as he deals with his “unseen flock”. Good Pastors (Shepherds) always miss sheep that leave the flock.

“Good Shepherd, thank you for Under-Shepherds that represent You
and give their strength in caring for their Church members and lost ones.
Give them healing for their hurting. Amen”