Sheep Without a Shepherd

As I was ministering within a people group, I saw families and individuals destroyed by alcohol, violence, drugs, immorality and laziness.  Their societal values and cultural norms were definitely different from mine. Centuries of corruption had deteriorated all guiding principles leaving the family unit fractured and almost non-existent. Seeing corruption all around, it was easy to accuse the people of being lazy, undisciplined or just sinful.  Whatever Godly influence had been present within this people group had long been lost through decades and centuries of spiritual, moral and ethical decay.  I could see these people floundering physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually because they had no one to help them walk in the principles of God’s word.

As I looked around me I couldn’t help but see the people as those that were floundering like sheep without a shepherd. Seeing the individuals around me, both young and old, male and female, I was reminded of the words of Jesus when He looked over the multitudes, “He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matt 9:36)   A spiritual revival was necessary in their midst.

Many of these people had experienced God’s word, power and forgiveness at one time in their lives.  Unfortunately whatever spiritual guidance and direction they had received reflected a distorted picture of God’s word.  Greed among the leaders presented the wrong role model for the people, an overzealous focus on legalistic rules brought discouragement as the people felt that they could never measure up and that they would need to be perfect before God could love them.  Walking with God became a wishful desire that was frustrated through false understanding of the nature of God’s expectations.

It was unfortunate that the lack of godly role models kept them bound in their sin and lawlessness.  Take a moment to examine your own life.  If people were to follow Jesus using your life as an example what would be the results?  Ask for our lord to help you better reflect Him to the world around you.