I Look to the Shepherd

We’ve had a busy week on the blog discussing how dictators abuse their authority over their people and comparing their characteristics with spiritual abusers.  The last couple of days, we’ve read examples of the pastor recording private conversations without permission.  


In contrast, the Bible talks about how pastors are to be like shepherds.  They do not lord over us, but guide us, look out for us, restore our soul.  In 1990, our family lived in the Philippines and we experienced a major earthquake.  Reports at the time said the magnitude was 7.8 to 8.0 on the Richter scale.  The initial quake lasted 45 seconds and within a minute there was a second earthquake lasting around 30 seconds.  There were 673 aftershocks that first week alone.  Some of those aftershocks were 6.0 and above and it was very difficult to function normally when the ground was moving so much.  We never knew if the next aftershock was going to be another major earthquake and if we needed to escape the building.   Having an infant and 3-yr old to protect kept me on edge.  I was having trouble finding my Shepherd amidst the chaos going around me and beneath my feet.  


Needless to say, my mind sometimes refused to settle.  This song, however, did bring peace to my soul and it was played over and over again -and loudly.  I wanted the truth to invade the fear that I was experiencing.  The song is about the Good Shepherd, based on Psalm 23.  


Some who have left may be experiencing a whirlwind of emotions:  sadness, anger, grief, relief, powerlessness, fear, shame, doubt, anxiety, etc.  What helped me during my tumultuous time was to cling to what I knew was true.  The Good Shepherd, Jesus, was my solid ground and I sung my heart out to Him.  When I was focused on Him, my emotional ground was peacefully still.  I needed the Shepherd to tend my soul.

Enjoy!