Feed My Lambs

"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs" (John 21:15).

As the story goes: a man was fishing out on the open seas, his boat capsized (something I know about) casting him into the deep waters as he watched his boat sink out of sight. While treading water in desperation he called out to God to save him. In a little while a kayaker paddle by and called out, "come to me and I'll save you." The man in the water yelled back, "No thanks, God is sending me a ship." Time went by, struggling to stay afloat he spots a motor boat heading his way, the men in the boat yelled, "we will save you!" Again the man said, "No thanks God is sending me a ship." Soon the man became so tired he too sank into the deep waters and drowned.  Arriving in heaven he asks God, "Why didn't you save me?"  God replied, "I sent you a kayak, and then a motor boat and you refused them both." 

Are you waiting for the "big call of God?" The church needs help in the nursery, or Sunday School teachers, someone to clean the parking lot, direct traffic. meet and greet, and you say, "No thanks I waiting for the "Big Call of God."  Look around, God presents to all of us opportunities to display, speak, and teach about His great love. It may be your children, relatives, neighbors, keeping your yard neat and well kept, a clean car, someone you know in a convalescent care facility: Feeding God's lambs is available to all. 

We all who have attended Church for any time know the above passage for it is quoted often. Jesus said to Peter, "Do you love me?"  After Peter's first response that he does Jesus said, "Feed My Lambs." The second time Jesus asks Peter the same question and Peter responds in the affirmative Jesus says something different, "Take care (literal Greek, Shepherd) my sheep."  With the third question and response, by Peter, Jesus once again says, "Feed My Sheep."  Whose sheep are we tending? Jesus'! Peter as usual in in impetuous ways looks back at the disciple Jesus loved (John) and asks "what about him?" Jesus rebukes him for Peter as well as we are not to look about and question how God is leading them but to our own mission that is set before us. 

All of us who claim Christ as Savior must remember that we are His ambassador, and our lives whether we like it or not is constantly under scrutiny by those who do not accept the message of salvation. It is our lifestyle, our word, that makes the difference not our mission. Let us all be determined to represent our Savior in whatever He sends to us for there is no small mission, only different missions that He knows fits your talents, your gifts. Look about, your mission is right before your eyes.

Daily Prayer:

Father thank you for sharing Your love with me and allowing me to participate in sharing Your love with others.  May my life represent You and be a witness to others of who You are and what You are willing to do for Your sheep. I know that You have Your sheep in the "pen" and they need to be care for, shepherded but also there are the "lost sheep" that need to be fed, cared for and brought home.  Lead me to those sheep, show me how to care for your sheep that you have put into my care.   Thank you.                  Amen