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A Shepherd Walking in the Heart of God
By Sheila Martinez
John 10:11 (KJV) I am the good shepherd: the
good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Matthew 18:12-14
(KJV): How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of
them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and
goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
I will never forget the impact the testimony of my friend Melda
(name has been changed) had on my life.
It was 1980. Melda was sitting at my table,
holding my hand as I was pouring my heart out to her. I had been
married for ten years and my marriage was in trouble. It seemed
as if all hope was quickly being pulled down the drain, with the
tiny tornado of swirling water accenting the end of it all.
As I drew in a ragged breath through the tears, Melda began to share
her story with me.
It had been a time 'like-unto'. Her marriage was in a time of struggle
and pain. She had taken her children and moved back to West Texas
where her family lived, hoping to find clarity and direction in
her life
On one particular Sunday morning, she went to one particular
church. She entered into the sanctuary and slid into a back pew,
hoping to be unnoticed - trying to remain alone with her pain.
As the service began, the minister began to speak words that went
directly to her heart - as if an unseen force knew exactly where
the pain was located - exactly where the bruise - the bleeding on
the inside - was throbbing with the pain of loss.
As the words began to touch this sore, tender place, Melda was overcome
with the release of the sorrow. Her sobs began to fill the sanctuary.
In an increasing moment of panic, knowing everyone was aware of
her presence in the church, she quickly rose and with all of the
turmoil racing within her, she went out of the door and collapsed
into a ball of the pain right there on the church steps
What she didn't know was the heart of the Shepherd was in motion.
The Lord knew one of His own was in distress and He moved within
the heart of this shepherd, who then agreed to the action required
by the love of God.
You see, the compassion of the Lord
was alive in that place. The pastor of that little church motioned
to the music minister to come up and to lead the congregation in
song and he stepped down off of the platform and walked with the
strength of purpose down the aisle and out the door, to do the work
of Him who sent him.
As he approached her, he gently sat down beside her, and reached
for her hand and listened to her, as she poured all of the pain
and poison out of her heart right on the steps of that small church.
He patiently waited for the working of the Spirit of God to do what
was needed. This work of the mysterious - in ways we can't see or
begin to understand, but so glorious to behold. Right on those steps,
on that day, life was renewed and strength given.
As I listened to her reveal the goodness of the Lord in the land
she was living in at that time, I knew this same God was in my land
with me and would, likewise, see me through. I knew He had my heart
in His hand. If He would comfort her in her pain, he would do so
for me too. In fact, I was in his comfort at that very moment, as
she shared her heart with me.
And now as I think again about that time, I wonder how the congregation
felt about their shepherd's actions.
Were they able to let ministry happen without being offended? Were
they willing to wait and see the wonder of restoration happen and
not be put off? Are we willing today for this to happen in our churches?
Did they rejoice at the move of God in their midst -- for their
sister in Christ?
And I wonder how many pastors today are as brave as that one was
-- how many pastors are shepherds who are after the heart of God
and willing to step at a moments notice?
How many of us who are called by His name are willing to be inconvenienced
for others?
And how many of us are willing to step out and touch those who are
in need - regardless?
I wonder.
If you would like to comment on this article, please send an email
to:sheila@vine3.org.
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