So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:1-6
Peter has no problem placing mass amounts of information in long sentences. These verses above are another example. Hence it brings up a question:
Who is in your flock?
Is your flock in the workplace? Are they in your home? Perhaps those in a small group or a community service you participate in?
No matter where your flock is, your are sure to have one… to have some… “flock members” … a herd… . a tribe…. a group… a band… a family.
We each as individuals have a specific group of loved ones that we are “over”. A band of people that we love and care for… those we lead…
If you think through your people or “flock” are you thinking of what is best for THEM or do you focus on how they see YOU?
Peter describes characteristics of the flock leader as the following:
– Provide Oversight. (VISION)
– Willing. (GENEROUS)
– Eager. (LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITY)
– As an Example. (DO AS I DO, BECAUSE I DO IT TOO)
Can you catch this? Peter not only urges us to lead the flock but to also BE PARTICIPANTS in the Godly mission. To be active in the flock and group and to be an example to its members.
All this for what? for the CHIEF SHEPPARD… JESUS… So when Jesus appears we may recieve UNFADING CROWNS OF GLORY… ????
Is that a hard statement for you to believe?
That God may grant you an “unfading crown of glory?”
It’s hard for me to understand. I’d go even further to say that I can’t even imagine what an unfading crown of glory looks like or feels like but I am sure it will be good.
We walk a fine line when it comes to leading and shepherding and HUMILITY. The line can be hard to see and sometimes, often times pride creeps in and takes over during moments we are trying to lead well. Although this may seem normal and redundant, God calls us away from this prideful leadership thinking…
God calls us to lead the flock, to be in the flock, and to leave our ego behind…
This is much different than today’s “watch me win” mentality we are surrounded by.
Can you imagine your crown of glory?
Can you ask Him for help to see your leading through His ways?
Barnabas Man 