Giving Fair Notice!

Readings today included Proverbs 25, 26, & 27 and Romans 15

Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: Proverbs 27:23 Know well the condition of your flocks,
and give attention to your herds;

Observation: It's a wonderful opportunity when we notice the "condition" of our "flock(s)"...it gives us a sense of purpose, a direction for living.

Application: In this day and age it is so very easy to be so consumed with just keeping up with all that we think needs to be done, that it’s also easy to wane in terms of our attention to those entrusted to our care. For pastors it’s easy to be so busy with the zillion details that come our way, that we lose sight of the over-all vision which has do with making sure our flock(s) has/have ready access to adequate spiritual nourishment so that they can grow and reproduce. But all of us, including pastors, also have others entrusted to our care. They may be those who live under the same roof and/or those who live elsewhere but to whom we are related by blood or circumstance or even a calling in our heart. It’s important to pay attention to them as well. They are gifts to be treasured, loved and yes, noticed. Sometimes we don’t even notice those most dear to us…what they are going through…what worries them…how they are really feeling. Of course, it’s important to take care of oneself, but only for the purpose of being capable (emotionally, physically, and spiritually) of noticing and caring for others—which, as the writer of Proverbs reminds us, begins by knowing their condition.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be more and more mindful of those entrusted to my care—at church and at home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.