THE LAST WORD
“Help! I’m Hurting And I’m Alone!”
Acts 20: 28 Keep watch over yourselves
and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be
shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Over the past year, the elders have sought to be intentional in
shepherding people under their care. This has been a difficult journey
for all of them in learning how to maintain a work, life and ministry
balance. All but one of these men work full-time jobs, lead their
families, and serve the Lord at Elim in a variety of capacities. With
this in mind, it should be no surprise that almost all of them are not
satisfied with the job they have done in shepherding people. This
dissatisfaction is amplified when they discover that someone has been
hurting in silence and isolation.
As I have wrestled with this issue over the past month, three
thoughts have emerged. First, it is no mistake that God calls His
church a body (I Corinthians 12.12). This analogy speaks volumes.
While the head has a responsibility to be aware of what is happening
with the other parts of the body, the body parts are designed by God
to communicate with the head. In other words, every part is equipped
with nerves that transmit pain and other information directly to the
brain. When this happens, the rest of the body is able to respond in a
timely and responsible fashion. However, when nerves do not or are
unable to send the message to the brain, it indicates that a terrible
disease like leprosy may be present.
No shepherd wants to learn that someone under his care has been
hurting and suffering in silence and isolation. This is contrary to
God’s essential design and intent. In those times when life goes
wrong, give your elder shepherd that call. We are all committed to
pray and support the rest of the body as best we can.
Second, Elim has been blessed with many shepherds who serve as
small group leaders, Bible study leaders, mentors, youth and
children’s leaders and in many other capacities. I encourage shepherds
everywhere to keep your eyes and hearts attuned to those around you.
God has gifted you with those special gifts of compassion, mercy,
wisdom and discernment so that you can see and respond to the needs of
those around you. In a limited way, you’re like the body’s immune
system. You help fight off disease and infection before it can ravage
the rest of the body of Christ. This effort can happen in a variety of
ways: A word of discernment spoken at the right time, a note of
encouragement that arrives at just the right moment, a few moments of
intercessory prayer with another person in need. We can’t fathom the
many ways God will use your efforts to shepherd another person at a
specific point of need. You can make an eternity of difference!
Finally, I want to thank all of you who are committed to guarding
and pursuing the health of this Body! Shepherding happens every week
in so many different ways. I see it taking place at coffee shops. I
hear about it around our facility. Prayers and words of encouragement
are everywhere! Keep up the “God work!” Keep sending those notes,
praying for the people, encouraging one another with words from
Scripture.
Martin
