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Blogs Inside the Iceberg The Good Shepherd by Robert Williams
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Blogs Inside the Iceberg The Good Shepherd by Robert Williams | The Good Shepherd by Robert Williams |
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| Written by Rob Williams | |
| Friday, 08 February 2008 | |
  The Shepherd As Black History Month progresses, I begin to think about the persons that over the course of time have been called to serve as shepherds and leaders of a flock. Christianity shows us where Christ led his disciples, who in turn were empowered to lead hundreds of thousands towards the same cause they so passionately loved. One of things I love most about the tenure of Jesus’ leadership is that he first was a follower. The Bible makes mention of how he sat at the feet of the priests and scribes in Nazareth and learned the ways of the wise. This is important because how can one lead if they have not been tuned to hear the voice of the people that will follow. Jesus assembled a flock of fishermen and LED them on faith based works, showing them the power of prayer and the effects of healing. He served as the ultimate example of a shepherd as he guided and guarded his disciples, protecting them from the snares of those that sought their blood. He educated and through that education gave power to these men, who without him would never have been able to accomplish the purpose for which they were called. I believe one of the most powerful stories surrounding Jesus and his disciples occurs when Jesus and the 12 are out to sea and a tumultuous storm begins to brew around the ship. Jesus is sleeping under the deck and his disciples are working overtime and through the night to restore order to the vessel they are on, as it is being tossed to and fro. They become nervous and anticipating a sure demise, go wake Jesus who simply speaks to the raging seas and restores peace. This was enough to show me that the heart of Jesus was that of a shepherd who would never LEAD his sheep into a situation he was not prepared to protect and care for them in. Bear with me… One of the greatest and more highly illustrated stories of leadership involving a shepherd leading a flock is that of Moses. Moses was born an Israelite, but raised in the customs and rhetoric of the Egyptians. Much like Jesus, Moses had to first submit himself as a pupil willing to be taught, as he was in the process of being trained to deliver his people from the wretched grip of the Egyptians. Moses was a shepherd that followed the voice of god as he LED his flock out of bondage. Moses went before the people numerous times, most memorably, at the mouth of the Red Sea with the Egyptians approaching to pull them back into captivity and prayed a prayer of deliverance that resulted in God opening the sea walls up and allowing his people to walk through on dry land. Is this not the ultimate job of a shepherd? Moses protected and petitioned for his flock to be spared on many occasions as they meandered in and out of the will of God. However, Moses understood his responsibility was to those that he led and therefore he laid his own life and position on the line in order to fulfill his purpose. During the month of February we recognize the contribution and guidance of another great shepherd in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In a period of social unrest and disconnect between Blacks and whites, good and evil, and just and unjust, King was a shepherd that LED his flock. As an ordained minister with a heart for the people, King immersed himself in the struggle, submitting himself as a scholar of the movement he would soon lead, and through his persistence and weary but unconquerable spirit, the world was able to see a King arise from, and ultimately lead, the common. After reading the infamous, I Have A Dream speech, I was able to deduct that Martin’s shepherding style was that of a leader, and a driver. He DROVE us to adopt a non violent approach to racism, but LED us in the fight for equal opportunity. He DROVE us to rally around each other in times of turmoil and uncertainty while LEADING us in sit-ins and marches on the powers that be. He DROVE us to face the truth about our royalty and rich ancestry while LEADING us to a place where we were not only comfortable in our skin, but proud of it. I youtubed his speech given on that 28th day of August in 1963 and watched as Martin, standing erect and speaking with clarity and urgency, called for the post dated check signed by the millions of oppressed Negroes he spoke for who had endured the hardships of slavery, witnessed the effects of sharecropping, and had been scarred by the events surrounding the Civil Rights Movement to be cashed. King led us to the doors of bondage and asked that the Declaration of Independence, written in the tone and spirit of justice some 400 years ago when our forefathers were seeking independence from Great Britain, still be proven valid when we, as African Americans, yet still Americans sought freedom from our own. The Shepherd’s Dream When I sat back and reflected on the examples set by these leading shepherds, I also took a moment to think about the dream or legacy they all left behind. It seems that a leader is such because he sees something that those that follow cannot and therefore they must make their vision plain and attainable for those that he or she leads. In the cases of Jesus, Moses, and Martin they were all blessed with foresight and although none of them were able to walk into the manifestation of that vision, they laid the foundation for those that would carry on to accomplish that thing that they had only been able to see. Jesus gave his disciples instructions to carry on his influence in such a way that it fulfilled what he felt his purpose for walking this Earth had been. He tells them in Matthew 28:19, Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that his command and vision would never die, for it would eternally live on through those who he gave power to. Now, everyday we are afforded the chance to choose freely where we will worship. As we become educated and empowered, our greatest responsibility is to take heed to the aforementioned command and continue the expansion of the Christian influence. In much the same respect, Moses also spoke unto the Israelites he led and gave them specific instructions based on his view of the Promised Land from the top of Mount Sanai. He speaks in Deuteronomy 31 beginning at verse 1 and says, “And Moses went on speaking these words to all Israel: And he said to them, I am 120 years old this day ; I can no more go out and come in. And the Lord has said to me, You shall not go over this Jordan. The Lord your God will Himself go over before you, and he will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. And Joshua shall go over before you, as the Lord has said…be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them , for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you nor forsake you. Moses knew that by giving power to the Israelites he led, that the enemy would be defeated and they would take over the land of Canaan like God had commanded. All Moses had to do was plant the seed of dominance and obedience and expect that based on the example he has set, his vision would be brought to fruition. Martin Luther King painted a picture on the minds and souls of the African Americans he spoke to that day as he delivered the I Have A Dream Speech. His voice echoed the agony and urgency that resonated in his heart as he blew life into images seen only in his mind. What we must remember during, but not limited to this month only, is the fact that we are living out and responsible for the continuation of the expansion of his dream and the olive branch approach to life that inherently comes along with it. Martin said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed—we hold these truths to be self- evident that all men are created equal. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and former slave owners will be able to sit down at the table of brotherhood.” I live a part of this dream everyday as I work with and befriend Caucasian co-workers who I am laboring side by side with towards a common goal. Martin knew this kind of freedom was not far off and charged the ears his words fell on saying, “…when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every tenement and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.” The world is no longer literally and legally split into Black and white. We are now allowed to work and live as equals and therefore, we are the Dream, manifested. We have a long way to go, but we live and breathe and now succeed in the world that Martin King saw some 30 years ago and steadily led us in the direction of. He led, he dreamed, he died. We followed and now are responsible for leading while living and leading while giving life to others. We must go forth and live out the true meaning for which we were created. Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow…they have form but are formless. They are skilled in both planning and adapting and need not fear the result of a thousand battles, for they win in advance. Defeating those that have already lost.
Comments
(18)
This is so good Rob, you def have a gift of words/expression you make ppl think outside of the box and expand beyond the obvious. I'm just waiting to see what kind of shepherd you will become?
Powerful stuff nephew...I loved it ...continue to yeild yourself to the Holy Spirit to spit words of wisdom... remember to remain humble...it is always easier to follow a leader who follows God...you truly have a gift and you always acknowledge him in all your ways...I love your purpose and passion...you create an atmosphere of expectancy...you have a Sense of Destiny...a Sense of Family...a Militant Spirit...( you do whatever it takes to get the Word out)...Awesome!!!!
This was an excellent and insightful blog. I enjoyed the history recap. The Biblical application and spiritual relevance. I am definitely on board with the vision and dream of MLK and all those who go forth in Spirit to be good shepards. Thank you for sending this to me to read. I was blessed and enlightened.
Robert, pal, you have done it again! As you get before God's feet watch Him use you in MIRACULOUS ways. I know you don't always understand exactly how you should channel your gift, but the Word says to delight yourself in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart, so that vision that you have to expand the minds of young African American men is only the beginning of the Incredible things that God has planned for you! Remain diligent and watch Him move radically in your life! Get EXCITED, it's coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby Butter, you're most definitely a shepherd in your own right my friend. Continue to challenge conventional ways of thought and use your spiritual knowledge to "bless" our people. Uplift. Enlight. Inspire.
Well done Parkay! I definitely admire your gift of LEADing individuals to a higher level of thought. Keep up the good work!
Great job Rob. I was so inspired by your words. God has truly blessed you with a gift and I know it will get you where you want to be.
Wow...I am impressed to say the least..you are such an insightful and perceptive young man and the way you compare and make connections between these three extremely influential men is ingenious. This was very well written and has made me think about topic a little deeper. Situations in life ultimately lead to choosing whether we act as shepherds or as those being led. It takes a deeper understanding of this phenomenon to realize that in life we have to be both. There are situations that call for us to take a stand and lead but a true shepherd has to also know when to follow and you have driven that point home with your examples. Thanks for a great read
The three people you cited, Jesus, Moses, and Martin, all share a commonality-they were obedient to what they were called to do. They didn't falter in the face of adversity and they didn't quit when the "going got tough", but they persevered because they each knew their purpose. Their leadership qualities are worth being emulated by leaders today. Two things I have learned about leaders--leaders must: 1) have the ability to stand alone and 2) be misunderstood. I think each fit that criteria.
As always, you have done an excellent job! You too are a leader.  written by Pastor Natalie , February 08, 2008
I marvel at your ability to clearly articulate your thoughts with sound biblical references, excellent examples and thought-provoking prose. It is my sincere belief that your writing comes from a place of deep introspection that not only enlightens your readers, but first and foremost challenges yourself. I applaud your gift, and I equally encourage you to continue to serve as the first partaker of your own works as a leader and shepherd of many. May the power of your words and the witness of your life make an indelible mark upon your generation as you fulfill your God-given purpose and destiny. Continue to make us proud!
Robert, continue to decrease as the power of GOD increases in you. Remember also to always have a servant's heart, and that it's not your ability but your availability that GOD desires!!! I have told you all your life that you are brillant and wonderfully made. This narrative only confirms it. I am very proud of you.
there's nothing I can say that your family hasn't
wonderful post I can't say how powerful it was to read this during Lent
Rob, God has blessed you with wisdom and insight beyond your years. Continue to cultivate your God-given gift so you may in turn continually nourish others with "food" that only God can provide. God is using you tremendously and growing you in becoming the leader He has called you to be. As you have been advised before, maintain a servant's heart and God will promote you at His appointed time. Awsome and inspiring narrative. Keep up the fantastic work!
I liked it, it was really long though. Keep writing, it expands the mind and I will keep reading.
Job well done. I hope your writings can be a springboard for other great things in line with your destiny. Keep writing my brother, keep writing.
VERY WELL WRITTEN. Jesus only requires your faith to be the size of a mustard seed, but your's seems to be the size of a large boulder, stay strong my Christian brother...
deepness...informative...and well written...
I agree-very well written. However, the point that stood out most to me was the fact that not one of the three men mentioned saw the destiny manifested as you so eloquently pointed out. They had a vision and had absolutely no problem (that we could see anyway) with being humble and laying the foundation for the vision. Their lives' purposes were to lay the foundation, not to claim a huge vision and hog it until it came to pass, but merely to lay the foundation which is the most secure yet stabilizing portion of the process. When are we, as young adults and men and women of all ages for that matter, going to be able to be satisfied with knowing that we are foundation-layers, not necessarily the persons that get a vision and bring it to life successfully in the same generation? We are in such a 'quick-fix' society that we have no patience for the real work which is laying the foundation, and I believe that's why sometimes it feels as though we are regressing as a people and nation. Where is the patience, and who is willing to be humble yet powerful enough to lay a stable foundation without receiving credit until he or she is long gone from this life? As you can see, this definitely had me thinking as well, and I plan to lay a strong foundation for this generation and the next. Good job Bert!
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