Shepherding: Saints and Serving Ones

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and the fact is, we were all born of the flesh. Though we were also born of the Spirit in our spirits, practically and mostly, we still live in the flesh. This is the source of all the problems in our human life and also in our Christian lives. Growth in life is of utmost importance to not live by the flesh; the stronger our spirit becomes, the easier to live by the Spirit. Otherwise, living by the flesh is natural and normal.

Our serving ones has been facing coordination problems mostly instigated by one particular one who has been overcomed by his temper. Outburst of anger is like a bomb explosion that destroyed the peaceful ambience in the office. Not once, not twice, not thrice, but even more, such volcanic eruptions of temper disturbed the other serving ones in the office. Often, he even dared to attack the office administration. My reaction was just a silent prayer for the culprit and the victims. Whenever such eruption occurred, the matter had to be handled in fellowship. We have had such fellowship thrice. It sounds like a shameful thing for serving ones to stoop this low. The fact is, we all are still too humane. Therefore, the problem.

I cannot shy away nor silently ignore such problems. Officially I had to step in. Yet I must not deal the flesh with the flesh. In fellowship, the flesh must be dealt with by the Spirit. That's exactly what was done. I called for fellowship and let all the serving ones speak what was their real situation. This I did not do it alone. I have a brother who is my coordinator; together we dealt with the problem. This also was a test for me in my service on how to coordinate and deal with situation corporately in oneness and in fellowship. The result of such was a practical perfecting in my Christian life and service life. Though the enemy must have meant it for worse, the Lord meant if for good. I learn, yes I believe we all learn together through circumstances.

Besides, there was also an issue in the proposal of a sister by a brother's relatives in another locality. Even in this, the enemy tried to creep in and dared to destroy our oneness. But immediately we realised that it was the attack of the enemy. Therefore, in fellowship, I and my brother gave up our own opinions and allowed the peace of Christ to arbitrate in our hearts. Thereby, giving no ground for the enemy to attack us in any way.

What a lesson on coordination! What a lesson dealing with the flesh by the Spirit in our spirit! The Lord is blessing His testimony and the enemy is trying hard to tarnish the Lord's testimony. Thank God, Christ has defeated the enemy at the cross already! We simply take Christ as our life, living, thinking, feeling, and decision.

All these precious lessons were learned through shepherding the saints and the serving ones. Despite all these, still many more lessons to learn.

Lord, shepherd me. Lord, train and perfect me.