Random Thoughts About Those Under Your Care

Quite honestly, I have the urge to write today. When I sat down to perform the process of writing, I didn't much care what the topic was. Then my mind was drawn to 1 Peter 5.........

And so I challenge you with these words...

"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.....All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:2-7)

Check out some of these key words.........CARE, OVERSEER, WILLING, NOT GREEDY, EAGER, NOT LORDING, ENTRUSTED, EXAMPLES, RECEIVE, HUMILITY, CAST ANXIETY ON HIM, HE CARES FOR YOU.

When I read over this list, I began to remember how serious it is to be in leadership over people, whether it be as a senior leader, department head, or even volunteer leader of a small group. While this passage was being written specifically to elders and young men, I believe it applies to all of us in leadership positions.

When I read over this list a second time, I began to get excited again at the prospect that small groups is not just one more responsibility to add to our plates, it really is a chance to make a HUGE difference in the lives of those people in our groups. Think about each person in your group for a moment, picture their face, think about what they are going through in life right now. Can you set aside your own life for a moment, and pray for them? Email them? Call them? Visit with them?

Seriously, let's refuel and become willing to eagerly and humbly care for those that are entrusted to us! Cast any anxieties you may be dealing with (whether in your groups or in your personal lives) on Jesus, and let's get busy really getting after those in our groups. As 1 Peter 2:1 challenges, "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." And finish with 1 Peter 1:22 "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." and 1 Peter 3:8-9 "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."