Leading can be much more effective than pushing.
My pastor was discussing shepherds on Sunday and how there were many shepherds out there, but only one Good Shepherd. Then he said that sheep don’t like to be pushed. Sheep like to follow. He said if we were cows and Jesus was a cowboy, he could just herd us wherever he wanted to. He could lasso us and bring us down and make us join his herd.
I found that analogy fascinating. Humans are referred to as sheep all through the New Testament. I don’t recall the Bible saying anything about cows. I’m sure sheep can be herded, but I can’t remember hearing about any big sheep drives from one place to another. I have been to a rodeo and they didn’t lasso any sheep or ride a bucking sheep.
Cowboys get their work done by physical grit and force. They push the cattle where they want them to go. A shepherd wants the sheep to follow him.
Isn’t that a huge part of what sets Christianity apart from other religions? It’s not about fear or force. Jesus invites us to follow him, not out of fear or obligation, but because of love and trust. We have promises like green pastures, restored souls and light yokes. So, why don’t more people get on board?
I certainly don’t have an answer to that question. I find that a lot o the people who I talk to about church carry around negative childhood memories of hell, fire and brimstone preachers, banging on a pulpit. Those guys tried to act like cowboys instead of shepherds. They tried to push and not lead. Sheep don’t like to be pushed.
As Christians, we are all sheep who are called to be shepherds in our own way. If you talk to any single person about God, even if it’s a family member, you are a shepherd of some sort.
Yet, many of us are uncomfortable with the shepherd role. We are terrified of coming across as pushy, but what we are really concerned about is being cowboys, not shepherds. We can lead without pushing and we can do it in dozens of ways.
We can invite others to worship or to a program at church, not hound people, just invite. We can volunteer our time, so that others can benefit and see us doing the work of Christ. They may feel called to do the same. We can extend kindness to a stranger or take a meal to a neighbor or send a get well card to someone who isn’t doing well.
We don’t serve because people are watching. We serve because the Good Shepherd serves, but when we do serve, others may feel lead to follow and when they do… what do you know? We are shepherds after all.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂