John 3:22-36, James 5:1-6, Ecclesiastes 7:15-29, Jeremiah 23-25

Recall:

“Doom to the shepherd-leaders who butcher and scatter my sheep!” GOD’S Decree. “So here is what I, GOD, Israel’s God, say to the shepherd-leaders who misled my people: ‘You’ve scattered my sheep. You’ve driven them off. You haven’t kept your eye on them. Well, let me tell you, I’m keeping my eye on you, keeping track of your criminal behavior. I’ll take over and gather what’s left of my sheep, gather them in from all the lands where I’ve driven them. I’ll bring them back where they belong, and they’ll recover and flourish. I’ll set shepherd-leaders over them who will take good care of them. They won’t live in fear or panic anymore. All the lost sheep rounded up!’ GOD’S Decree.” Jeremiah 23:1-4

“Have any of these prophets bothered to meet with me, the true GOD?
bothered to take in what I have to say?
listened to and then lived out my Word? Jeremiah 23:21
Reflect: In the midst of God's complaints in Jeremiah was one that jumped out at me. Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of it is powerful. God is speaking to false prophets, those who butcher and scatter the sheep. There have been many of those, I think, over the centuries up until now. It is so easy for us as leaders to take our awesome calling for granted, to forget to keep an eye on the sheep, at best. And at worst to lead them astray.
Respond: God, I want to be found worthy. When you gather your sheep, I want you to be confident enough in me to set me over them. I want to listen to you and then live out your word.

Hearing God, through the disciplines, through meditation, is necessary before I dare open my mouth.