Be Shepherds

 ¹ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

 ⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
   “God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.”
 ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
 ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
 ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.  ¹² With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
 ¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love.
   Peace to all of you who are in Christ.  (1 Peter 5, New International Version)

Since my freshman year God has revealed Himself to me in this chapter. At the time that I first read it, I thought that the passage was telling me to be a shepherd of the flock as a worship leader. Now as I read it, I think that God is telling me to be a good shepherd to those that I work with in the Social Work Field. Reading this passage today is more meaningful for me than it has been before. This is because now I understand the message. God is asking me to watch over His people. Not because I am good at it, but because I stand ready and willing to do it. The passage also says that I need to humble myself and not use the power of the position given me to take advantage of others. Rather I am to be an example to the flock and live a life that reflects God.

I wanted to share this passage to you because it has meant much to me. There are many things that I still need to learn. One question I wanted to ask you is, Are you willing to be a shepherd of God's flock? What is God revealing to you through these words? What does this passage mean to you?