The Challenge to Be a Good Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want.” This verse in Psalm 23 is a reminder for us to depend on God in every circumstance in our life. We know that life is uncertain, there are good times as well as bad times. We constantly struggle to live life in the fullest. But it’s good to know that there is a God whom we can rely on when human help is denied of us.

Jesus the Good Shepherd, abandoned the many just to find the lost one and even laid down his life for us. The character of the Lord presents a challenge for us to emulate—to become good shepherds to those entrusted to our care, including our family, friends, employees, constituents, and others.

Being a Good Shepherd demands a great deal from us. It necessitates embodying qualities such as leadership, protection, and compassionate provision, among others, to name just a few. But with Jesus as our role model, hopefully we can try to imitate Him, the epitome of a Good Shepherd.

Lord, thank you for being a good shepherd to us. May we all be good shepherds too, someone who will protect and take good care of our loved ones. Allow us to exercise our authority with mercy and compassion. Guide us that we may lead by example in words and in deed. Amen.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.” – John 10:14-15