Last Sunday I thought about Keithely Middle School, the youth and children I pastor and more importantly my own children, Malachi, 8 and Makinzy, 5.  I love all my kids; Campus Life, children’s ministry, Core Youth and the two amazing and loving ones I helped bring into this world.  I am a big, loud and an overall fun guy.  I want to reach, invest, impart, challenge and see God change the youth of this generation.

Last Thursday we were doing club at Keithley MS with only 12 students yet the crowd was rude, disrespectful and overall our team of 5 couldn’t seem to take control.  I have been involved in youth ministry for almost 20 years with over 10 years of full-time pastoral experience and 3 years with TYFC.  I know kids, love kids and want Jesus to live inside of them.  However, last Thursday I felt like a cattle driver, prodding, yelling and becoming a little over-bearing, even frustrated.  A cattle driver pushes and commands.

I am a city slicker but a few summers ago I had the opportunity to go to a 80 square mile ranch in Montana with my family. We had the chance to drive in the cattle from the pasture.  The cowboys were constantly yelling and swinging whips.  They had to push and force the cattle’s direction. These were the thoughts running through my head when I hit the pillow Sunday night.  I woke up Monday morning to get my kids off to school.  Again, pushing, prodding and even yelling at my own children.  Sure, I apologized and asked their forgiveness but was overly immobilized at the thoughts of the Good Shepherd.  I thought about Jesus and of the characteristics of a sheep herder. A Shepherd leads, guides and directs.  He encourages and builds confidence and truth.  He leaves the 99 and goes after the 1, in a loving, thoughtful and caring manner.  How amazing!  I want to be a sheep herder.  I want to be like the Good Shepherd.  I want to lead by example.

Are you a cattle driver or a sheep herder?