Ablaze for God - Day 18 Devotional

“You are Accountable to Lead with
Attention and Intention”
Submitted by Heath Davis
Key text: Acts 20:27-28

I hear that sheep are generally stupid. Guess that’s why God likens us to them. Sheep need shepherds. And so do we. The Scripture is clear that shepherding is essential in the Church. While God gives specific shepherding responsibilities to pastors and overseers within the body, the fact is that each of us is responsible to shepherd someone.

Bad shepherding is dealt with severely in the Scriptures. “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves. I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock” (Ezekiel 34: 2-3, 10). In this text, bad shepherds are marked by self-consumption and apathy towards those they lead.

So what makes a good shepherd? The two indispensable marks of shepherds are attention and intention.

Shepherds must lead with attention. A few years ago when I was going through a difficult time in my life a good friend put his hand on my shoulder and said, “I’ve got your back, man”. Just the knowledge that this brother would be keeping an eye out for me made all the difference. God wants His shepherds to “have the backs” of those they lead. In order to protect the sheep the shepherd must be attentive to the needs of the sheep. Our gaze must be fixed in their direction. In a world that turns a blind eye to the needs of others, the eyes of the shepherd are open wide to the specific life circumstances of his/her sheep.

Shepherds must lead with intention. Ponder Jesus’ friendship with Peter. Perhaps it could be dubbed “Intentional Shepherding 101”. From the get go Jesus is deeply committed to this man’s growth. Jesus’ intentional investment in Peter’s life helps carve this rough-hewn fisherman into one of the greatest shapers in church history. Intentional shepherds have plans, hopes, dreams and goals for those they lead. They intend for growth to occur and plan accordingly. They often see in their sheep what the sheep cannot begin to see in themselves. Oh, that we would shepherd others with such intention today! What great works of God might emerge from the lives of our children, friends and those in our circles of influence if you and I took time to shepherd with the intentionality of Jesus.

Two questions now remain, shepherd. Get some pen and paper and write down your answers. First, who is your flock? And, second, in what ways are you leading this flock with attention and intention?