All God's Children Are on the Whitelist

One evening, someone from our fellowship was ill; they spent some time in the ER and walked home late at night. I was more than concerned and spoke with our pastor's wife. "They should have called," she said. "Pastor keeps his phone on all night." I recalled a memorial service a few weeks prior; the family's clergyman talked about the dread of "those late-night calls" --another pastor who keeps his phone on all night. 

Personally, my "Do Not Disturb" is set for 8PM and the only people on my whitelist are our children. Do you understand what I'm saying? These pastors, ordinary men do much more than prepare messages for Sunday morning and baptize the occasional confessor. They visit the sick and deliver meals and counsel couples and comfort the grieving and mow the grass at the church (ours does, anyway). I and other saints can enjoy the luxury of sleeping soundly, setting our phones to "Do Not Disturb," because there's someone else handling the calls and concerns of our brothers and sisters. As we dream, our pastor is praying. As we recline in our beds, our pastor is standing with someone at the scene of an accident. As we remain warm and dry, our pastor is driving in a downpour to the ER. As we allow muscles to relax and weariness to fade into sweet repose, our pastor is bearing another's burden. We can simply enjoy the benefits of his watchfulness and his faithfulness. And while this sounds like an ode to pastors (and maybe should be), it is an important picture. Pastor keeps his phone on all night. 

In Webster's 1931 dictionary, the number one definition for the word pastor is "shepherd." The true pastors of the Christian faith are shepherds. They shepherd the sheep in a manner after the Good Shepherd, Christ, revealed in Scripture. The local pastor, the flesh and blood shepherd of the flock, is a picture of the Shepherd greater than all others. The Shepherd who watches over His children and does not slumber or sleep. The Shepherd who is selfless and lavish in His giving; He is willing to sacrifice for His sheep. The Shepherd who cares for the flock, who counsels His people, who never leaves those who are His, and who is near to those who need Him. Our flesh and blood shepherds --as incredible as they are --are only a picture of the protection, provision, correction, comfort, and leadership we find in our Lord. They are human and the tools at their disposal are temporal. Phones malfunction or lose connection or require charging. Those in need may be unable to use them. Sleep overtakes weary bodies. Illness keeps even the best shepherds from the fields. But Psalm 34 says our Shepherd, Jesus, hears the cries of His sheep: His ears are sharp, attentive, listening for them. And He is always near. Think about that! Maybe you remain at home with your parents. Maybe you are married with a strong, vigilant, former MMA star husband. Maybe you have the latest in home security, live in a gated community, or sleep with Smith & Wesson. None of that is as effective and reassuring as the Shepherd who is one cry of the heart away, the Shepherd who knows and has authority over all things. We, His sheep, are given the freedom to simply be the best sheep we can be within the safe borders of His pasture. We can rest and enjoy and serve Him, as He does all the heavy lifting. What an incredible benefit! 

But it's only for His sheep. Just as my children alone can reach me after 8PM, our Shepherd's eyes are on the righteous, His flock --and not a one is missing. Only His children --each and every one --are on His whitelist. The angel of the Lord surrounds and protects those who fear Him; He delivers them. He is near to those with a contrite spirit and delivers His sheep. Those who fear the Lord will not do without. You must be one of His own; but there is still time. The psalmist tells us, Come...Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The gate to the sheepfold is open to allow more to come in. Do not hesitate; enter and be cared for, protected by the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. 

But if all that sounds a little exclusive to you, give me your number and we can talk about it. How's 2AM sound?