Shepherd the Flock

Over 12 years ago, in my early 60s, something highly unusual happened that greatly angered me, to the point that I uncharacteristically set out on a brisk walk around the block to pour out my frustration and complaint to the Lord. It eventually led to me asking Him for someone nearby to shepherd. I did not regard myself adequately equipped to shepherd anyone but I was very mindful of how many years the Lord had faithfully nourished and cherished His flock and I concluded that at least I could help a younger one in my limited capacity. A few weeks later, the answer to my prayer came and to this day, the relationship continues, a sweet testimony of His shepherding care of us both.

I remembered how deeply I was touched during the Jeremiah training that Jehovah said in Jer 3:15a "And I will give you shepherds according to My own heart". Then years later during the 2025 summer training we heard the wonderful words that Christ, who lives in us, "is the good Shepherd, the great Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, and the Shepherd of our souls." "The more we are constituted with Christ, the more we will spontaneously live a shepherding life and have the burden to take care of others." (Ref The Ministry of the Word, Vol 29, No 7, page 250. ) Praise the Lord, "we are both sheep and shepherds, shepherding and being shepherded in mutuality;" (See verses for the above references on page 250 also. )

I really enjoyed how much this song has the realization that our shepherding comes out of our being nourished by our subjective experience of Christ in the word. Our tender loving care of others comes from joining into Christ our chief shepherd’s tender care of others. It is also our way, stitch by stitch, to prepare our wedding garment. And I treasured also the last two lines. The father loves us as he loves the Son, his love, the bond that joins us all as one!

This is my favorite song. :)