Cultivating A Shepherd’s Heart

April 23, 2009 in Leadership with 0 Comments

This past week I was privileged to hear Dr. H. B. London, who always speaks right to my heart. He related a conversation he had with Henry Blackaby about the significant turning point in Blackaby’s spiritual life. It was the time God basically said to him, “You’re not going to rush me anymore.” From that point on, Blackaby decided to simply give to God whatever time God wanted each day.

Today, I heard the words of the apostle Paul in writing to the Thessalonians…

…just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts… So being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
~ 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 8 ESV

As a Pastor, I keep hearing this simple message… allow God to cultivate in you a shepherd’s heart. To paraphrase Paul’s thinking, “I am approved by God and entrusted with the gospel, therefore I’m accountable to remain humble, sincere, tender, and loving toward people.” Therein lies one of the ingredients of real success in ministry – cultivating a shepherd’s heart.

Ministry is a privilege. I’ve been reminded of that over and again of late. My calling is a precious gift, a privilege, not a right. I am in ministry today because I’ve been approved for such – all of grace. Having been approved by God’s grace and entrusted with God’s gospel, it’s totally necessary and right that I would keep my heart for Him.

A shepherd’s heart is humble before Almighty God. We realize our place and our size and are struck with a sense of utter dependence upon Him.

A shepherd’s heart is also sincere. We present the gospel with sincerity or not at all. We preach to an unbelieving world, believing that our message has divine, life-changing power. We don’t do it for money or prestige, but for Jesus’ sake.

A shepherd’s heart is tender toward people. We’re willing to be a friend, a counselor, a teacher and a healer. When we lose our love for people, we’ve lost the privilege of ministry altogether.

God, help me and my fellow brethren in ministry to cultivate the heart of a shepherd so that we might be approved fully and finally someday before Your throne!