If you yourself do not know, Most beautiful among women, Go forth on the trail of the flock, And pasture your young goats By the tents of the shepherds. – Song of Songs 1:8 

Now our girl has suffered some abuse and some frustration at the hand of her mother’s sons. Her heart cries out for only one man, the lover of her soul.

But God’s intention is that we live out our love affair with Jesus with some guidance.

The shepherds.

These people show up in our lives and throw kindling on the warm embers of our passion, fanning it into flame. They draw us forward toward the place where the Good Shepherd is tending His flock.

Especially in the US, we foster fierce independence. We easily fall for the lie that ‘we don’t need no stinkin’ pastors,’ or ‘Jesus is my Pastor.’

That’s a bunch of baloney!

We need to live in community surrounded by those on the same journey. We must follow those headed toward life.

David lamented,

“No man cared for my soul.” (Psalm 142:4)

Don’t let your passion for Christ drive you away from His body. It’s not a perfect system, and you won’t find a perfect Church, but get a shepherd in your life. Maybe they won’t have the title ‘Pastor’ or letters after their name, but God put people around you for a reason.

Thanks for stopping by.

See you next week.

Ben