Sheep Feeding 101 - A Christian’s To-Do List

1 Corinthians 2:9

"But as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'"  ESV

Man has been given the most beautiful gift, the endowment of sight. It is his ability to witness every glorious exhibition the world offers: majestic coastal mountain ranges rising from the sea's doorstep, boundless African grasslands responding to the wind's lightest gesture. And the sunrises! Oh, the sunrises! Ones that make you wish you could pause, go back, and replay them during the storms of chaos in your life.

Humanity has also been endowed with the remarkable capacity to perceive sound. Beautiful symphonies that non-verbally speak of Man’s sagas and triumphs. Choruses of songbirds in multiple harmonies greet our days with the verses of warbling wake-ups. We tilt our heads to the sounds of the playground, cupping our ears to catch the sweet merriment of kids at play.

Like a well-worn suitcase, our hearts carry the weight of our emotions. It holds the lingering warmth of our first love, the unrestrained joy of cradling our firstborn, and the steadfast hope for peace and safety for those we hold dearest.

Behold, my friends, I bring great tidings of comfort and joy! (That sounds familiar.) Anyway, here it is! None of these sights or sounds can match the incredible things God has set aside for those who show their love for Him. Nothing can come within reach of their beauty. The surface of our imaginations won’t even be scratched. Not even close! Man has never been given the sensual capacity to grasp this type of glory. Our earthly eyes, ears, or hearts were not engineered for that kind of beauty. Alas, we can only imagine. But how can we experience these glories? Or a better question: how do we show Him our love?

It's funny you should ask. Ready for the answers?

John 21:15-17 "Pete, you love me, right?" Jesus asked, probably looking a little too serious for what should've been a simple question.

"Of course I do, Lord!" Peter replied, maybe with a slight 'duh' in his tone.

"Good. Then you can do me a favor," Jesus said with a wink. "Take care of my sheep. Feed them with my Father's Word."

Peter, possibly a little flustered by this, nodded. Then Jesus asked him the same question again. "You know I do, Lord!" Peter said, maybe a little more emphatically this time.

"Alright, alright," Jesus said. "Then guide them, and be a good example. Don't go denying me, okay?"

Just as Peter was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Jesus asked a third time.

"Jesus!" Peter said, practically throwing his hands up in exasperation. "Is this a trick question? You know I love you and would even die for you!"

Jesus, with a big, loving smile on his face, put a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Listen, Peter. It's not a trick. I want you to tend my sheep. Care for them and find the lost ones. And when you find them, love them with everything you've got. Some of them will need every ounce of it!"

"Protect them," Jesus continued, "and gather them into my Father's fold. Can you do that? That will prove to me that you truly love me."

So, Jesus basically gave us all a job to do, and Peter was just the first one on the clock. And it's not a desk job. It's more like a "get your hands dirty" kind of gig. He basically said, "Stop standing around and start serving." It's a Christians' to-do list. He wants us to get busy helping our fellow man, which means a little less talking about love and a little more showing it. We need to be a little like spiritual first responders: healing the hurting, helping the lost find their way, and picking up those who have stumbled.

And here’s the kicker: we can't be afraid to pass the torch. The job isn’t just about us; it's about raising up the next generation of servants. It’s like a divine relay race, where we’re not just running our leg, but also ensuring the next runner is ready to go. The good news is all this hard work isn't for nothing. We’re promised an unseen inheritance, a front-row seat to paradise, where we'll get a whole new set of spiritual eyes, ears, and hearts to take it all in.

This unseen inheritance is primarily spiritual. It is not a promise of worldly wealth or material possessions, but a guarantee of eternal life and a place in God's kingdom. The Bible describes this inheritance as imperishable, undefiled, and unfading—qualities that set it apart from anything on Earth. While our earthly possessions are subject to decay and corruption, our heavenly inheritance is secure and eternal. That's a promise.

So, in the meantime, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. We’ve been called to be shepherds in this world, rounding up the lost, the dazed and confused, and the vulnerable. It’s our job to be the good news and not keep it to ourselves. Let’s get out there and show them some love, just like the Good Shepherd would.

Your question: “Do you love me (insert your name here)? Feed My sheep.”

Your response: “Yes, Lord. I will!”

I don’t know what you’ve heard, but the truth is...: "But as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'" - 1 Corinthians 2:9