Investment: Serving with your Whole Heart

The True Shepherd

Investment: Serving with your Whole Heart

In familiar psalms and hymns like "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us", we are given the beautiful image of the Lord as our shepherd. But reading through the scriptures reminds us that this is more than a lovely picture. This is a powerful metaphor for the overwhelming love that God has for us.

Jesus- Our Shepherd

For example, take the following passage. By comparing the good shepherd to the hired hand, Jesus explains his relationship with us:

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (John 10:11-13)

In the field of language and identity, there is a theory called 'investment' theory by Bonny Norton (2000). Depending on how 'invested' you are in the target language (the one you're trying to learn) determines a great deal how well you learn that language and also your attitude toward that language. For example, if you are a high school student who feels forced to take French for one hour a day without any real purpose for it, you are less likely to learn it to the extent that a study abroad student in France will.

While this theory relates specifically to language, it's not only to language that the idea of investment can be applied. For example, we can see in the verses above that the hired hand is less invested in the sheep for an obvious reason... he does not own the sheep. He cares less about them, so he may run away when frightened.

But Jesus is not a hired hand. He loves and knows the sheep and will not abandon them, because they are His. What a comforting and overwhelming thought. God does not take care of us because He needs to any more than our parents love us because they need too. They just love us and care for us, because we are theirs and they are invested in us.

He will not abandon us when the wolves come, when tough times come, when the decisions come, when uncertainty comes. This is hard for me, especially when I'm in a position where I want to make a decision, but I can't just yet... usually because others aren't ready for a decision. When I can't even imagine into the future, it makes me very anxious. But I need to trust that the good shepherd will not leave me, even if I can't see Him through the fog.

Ourselves - As Under-Shepherds

Similarly, another scripture verse from the other day reminded me that we are to imitate Christ and 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. (1 Peter 5:1-6)

I have heard 'deacons' or 'elders' in many churches referred to as "under-shepherds", and after reading this verse, it seems quite fitting. Here we are instructed on how to be a shepherd with the same motive and attitude of Christ.

It should not be done out of obligation ('because we must') or for gain or power, but it should be done because we are willing, eager to serve, and examples to the others. Humble servants of the Lord will be lifted up, given strength to serve.

Today I pray for all the new upcoming leaders of GCF. I am so thankful for their hearts of genuine service, willing and eager to serve in ministry in our Graduate Christian Fellowship. I pray for them as they pray for our new group of students this upcoming year. I pray for them as they prepare their bible studies and even hold bible studies during this summer at their homes. I pray that God would encourage them and give them peace and strength during the busy times of the semester and joy and excitement as they serve the Lord. And I pray that these young shepherds remember that they have a shepherd to turn to, to pray to... that they may cast all their cares on Jesus, because He cares for them. They are His sheep, and He will not abandon them... when the wolves (or midterms or finals) come.