Shepherding: Following

Then when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Feed My lambs. He said to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He said to him, Shepherd My sheep. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? Peter was grieved that He said to him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go. John 21:15-18

In shepherding, I simply have to follow the Lord's leading through the brothers whether I like it or not. I have to go against my own personal feeling whatsoever.  This lesson is not easy to learn. But when the Lord graces me, all lessons can easily be learned one by one. 

Last week I was invited and encouraged to visit a family that has been undergoing a deep internal problem to the extent of breaking up. Though I did not want to get involved in others' family affairs, in this case, the head of the family, the father, personally invited me to be there for fellowship as he has been very desperate considering the environment at his own home. In fact, he was asked to leave the home due to non-adjustment with the in-laws.

With two other families, I went to visit this family. I had only one burden for the family; to take Christ as grace in all their relationships and family affairs. We spent seven hours with the family as his other extended families also came over. Initially, I felt like I was wasting my time sitting there and listening to whatever anyone had to say. But when the Lord opened the door for me to say something I did not hesitate to do so. In fact, while the family issue was being discussed by my two other brothers, I was testifying to the other family members concerning the Lord's step-by-step and practical leading in my life. Though  I was not prepared, the Lord knew what I need to share and He anointed me to do so. At least for this, I felt it was worth spending 7 hours. 

The following day, the brother who is the father in the family testified during the Lord's table meeting with tears how the saints and the church stood with him in times of trouble, and how he felt so homely being in the church life, and how he could testify over and over again that he has found the true church. When I heard his testimony, I realized that though I did not function much in the seven hours long sitting in his living room, my very presence with other saints itself was the loudest and clearest message to the family that we are the member of the Body of Christ and when one suffers other members suffers along with it. Then I realized that just my presence itself was my function I contributed to the shepherding work of the family. I simply followed the Lord's leading in the visiting of this family and that simply following is my shepherding.

Yesterday, a brother called me again to visit the same family as a new development had just happened. Though I had no plan to visit and in fact, did not prepare nor was willing to go along with him, later, I felt I should go, The Lord reminded me of what He spoke to John, "When you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." Therefore, I prepared myself and went to visit the family. This time we spent a lesser time, about three and half hours, and the main problem between the children and parents was spoken out openly and there was open confession and reconciliation at the end. When we had fellowship I chose to sing Hymn 479, "Grace in its highest definition is God in the Son to be enjoyed by us; it is not only something done or given but God Himself, our portion glorious." Then, there was a fellowship on the word of God on Ephesians 4:1-6. When everything was done, a brother asked me to say something, my only burden was GRACE. So, I encouraged all of them to enjoy Christ as grace day by day, and only by this way of enjoying Christ as grace can the family be in oneness, in peace, and can serve the Lord as a family.

The Lord has answered the prayers of the saints for this family and also honored the fellowship in the Body, and therefore, the family is being preserved. The Lord saved the family from being broken. 

May the Lord continue to preserve this family for His testimony in Gurugram!