When the Harvest Needs A Shepherd

A Harvest of 1.7 Million

There are 1.7 million people in North Orange County and Long Beach. God has clearly given us the local vision to make disciples that make disciples and plant churches that plant churches among them. Why? So they have a chance to say, “Yes!” to Jesus. That’s my urgent passion — as well as our team’s.

The Body Is Made of People

Every person in the Body of Christ is called to this same task. Yet even in the urgency of the mission, I can’t forget that the Body is made up of people. Saved? Yes. But still marred by the impact of sin in the world. And many of them are hurting. So there’s a dance. The urgency of the mission alongside the need for shepherding those who are hurting.

These past several weeks have been filled with the need for me to pause and shepherd some among us who are struggling. Two of my close friends have faced the death of their brothers and are dealing with overwhelming grief. A sister was blindsided by a sudden tragedy. Another close friend has been hit with a wave of grief after losing his spouse. I have peers who are grieving the reality of children who have wandered from the faith. Still others are battling serious physical ailments.

The Good Shepherd . . . Shepherds Through Us

Yes, Jesus came to seek and save the lost, but He also came as the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. While here in the flesh, Jesus took the time to care for people, to heal them, and to listen to those who were hurting. And since He lives His life through me, I too have been called lately to come alongside many of these dear brothers and sisters. God is faithful, and He somehow chooses us — His people — to join with His Holy Spirit as the great Comforter.

Abiding

I’m learning more and more about this dance between shepherding God’s people and continuing in the core missionary task of advancing His Kingdom. There’s no formula to teach me this. No notebook with all the answers and no tool to guide me.

It becomes ever more clear that the key to effective ministry is always abiding in Jesus. Spending time on my knees. Crying out to God and listening to His voice. When I’m consistent in that abiding, I can move forward with confidence and effectiveness, reveling in the tremendous peace He gives me.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He knows what we need. I can trust Him to lead me to the people He wants me to shepherd. He is also the Lord of the harvest. He will send the laborers — and even without me, they will find those who are ready to respond to the Gospel. He is the Head of the Church. Your part and mine are simple: follow His lead every day.

Caught, Not Taught

These aren’t new principles. But these past weeks have shown me how much I need Him. When I lean on Him instead of my own wisdom and power, I see fruit that I could never produce myself.

Ephesians 6:10 (NASB) tells us to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Surrendering to this strength is one of the hardest things to learn. But it’s also the secret to the abundant life. This is a principle that is “caught” more than “taught.” I catch it as I spend time in intentional relationship with the living God.

Walking with Those Who Hurt

So for this season, I thank the Lord for allowing me the privilege of shepherding those in need. As we walk and sit with our struggling brothers and sisters, let’s continue to challenge one another to follow and obey Jesus and to keep His mission moving forward. That’s the dance: shepherding the hurting while reaching the lost. That’s the beauty of this life in Christ.

Thank You, Jesus — for allowing me to participate.

Amazed by Jesus