Sunday
Apr022006
I Hate This Bible Verse!
Sunday, April 2, 2006 at 11:40PM
In Proverbs 27:23, Solomon says: "Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds."
Can I just say that I really hate this verse...
For the last few years I have tried to read through Proverbs at the rate of one per day. I dread the 27th of every month, because I know that means I am on the 27th Proverb and it means that I am going to have to read this verse again. You may think I'm just being silly, but if I take this verse seriously - it is requiring regular self-evaluation. I don't like self-evaluation and as the shepherd of my family I really don't like to evaluate how I am doing as a husband and a father. I do not like to take account for my flocks and herds.
Don't get me wrong...I love my wife and I love my kids and I will go out of my way to provide for them beyond measure. My problem stems from the possibility that my flocks are not doing as well as I think they are doing.
I know it's just a form of fear...fear of being disappointed with myself, fear of failure, fear of being a poor shepherd. Because just when I think everything is okay and I have a handle on my flocks, it is time to stop again and inspect the herds. I don't want to find out that they are unhealthy, that they've been grazing in the wrong pasture, or that my poor gatekeeping has allowed wolves to sneak in while I was "on watch."
I want to be a good shepherd. I want to be a caring shepherd, one that protects his flock, one that leads his flock to green pastures and safe havens. I want to be attentive to the needs of the herd and mindful of threats before they show up at the gate. I want to use my rod and my staff regularly. But, most importantly, when the Chief Shepherd returns, I want to give Him a good report and show Him that I have cared well for His flock that he gave me to protect.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Can I just say that I really hate this verse...
For the last few years I have tried to read through Proverbs at the rate of one per day. I dread the 27th of every month, because I know that means I am on the 27th Proverb and it means that I am going to have to read this verse again. You may think I'm just being silly, but if I take this verse seriously - it is requiring regular self-evaluation. I don't like self-evaluation and as the shepherd of my family I really don't like to evaluate how I am doing as a husband and a father. I do not like to take account for my flocks and herds.
Don't get me wrong...I love my wife and I love my kids and I will go out of my way to provide for them beyond measure. My problem stems from the possibility that my flocks are not doing as well as I think they are doing.
I know it's just a form of fear...fear of being disappointed with myself, fear of failure, fear of being a poor shepherd. Because just when I think everything is okay and I have a handle on my flocks, it is time to stop again and inspect the herds. I don't want to find out that they are unhealthy, that they've been grazing in the wrong pasture, or that my poor gatekeeping has allowed wolves to sneak in while I was "on watch."
I want to be a good shepherd. I want to be a caring shepherd, one that protects his flock, one that leads his flock to green pastures and safe havens. I want to be attentive to the needs of the herd and mindful of threats before they show up at the gate. I want to use my rod and my staff regularly. But, most importantly, when the Chief Shepherd returns, I want to give Him a good report and show Him that I have cared well for His flock that he gave me to protect.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
Reader Comments (2)
i recently posted a response to a question by james mcdonald regarding http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/2007/11/19/got-advice-for-new-fathers/" rel="nofollow">advice for young fathers. what better advice could i give, plaguing another man's life with my least favorite bible verse. i hope they find it encouraging.
quietly making noise, fletch
can you just tell me which wordpress theme are you using?where can i get this theme for download.