I am reading through John 10 this week in preparation for my message on Sunday. Jesus declares himself to be the Good Shepherd. He is not a hired hand that would take off at the first sign of trouble.

He does not lose those who are his.

My Savior lays his life down for me. He contrasts himself to the Pharisees. They weren’t going to lay down their lives for anyone. They cared little for the sheep.

There is an application I take into pastoring from this. Am I truly a shepherd? Am I all in for my congregation? I don’t want to be one who would run at the first sign of trouble. I know I have not in the past. There have been tough times the Lord has brought us through. I don’t want to be seen as a hireling.

Several years ago an “older saint” who was talking trash about my city said if she had the opportunity to move out of the city she would. (She never has, and it’s not because of depressed property values.) She said I’d do the same thing. If a bigger church opened up, I’d put my name in and go. I was cut in my heart. That was the farthest thing from my mind. And it still is.

I love my city. I love my church. I want to be reminded of my call. Christ is the good Shepherd. I want that in my own life as well.