John 15:16

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

 

 

The flock.                  

 

 

Oh church! … Did you choose your flock

 

or is it entrusted … and given in love to you?

 

Is it yours to nurture and place on the "Rock"         

 

for when sheep panic … they freeze and go aloof.           

 

 

 

They tremble and shake … huddling together

 

hopeless and helpless … without defense.

 

The church and shepherd their total protector

 

but what if their eyes … don't notice the fence?

 

 

 

Keeping the flock and not mending the fences

 

and expanding the flock without fixing the holes?

 

Where many slip through because of our dense-ness

 

to disappear into the world … to be seen no more.

 

 

 

We did the best … the "best" we could?

 

Is not our best … like filthy rags inside?

 

Is it Christ through me ... well understood

 

Who wants to perform … all things right?

 

 

 

For  His own flock the first thing He does

 

He settles it down and gives it attention.

 

Removes its fears … with a loving touch

 

and then starts mending … all the fences.

 

 

 

He fills the gaps … where His sheep wander off

 

to be lost in the hills and the valleys.

 

He teaches His sheep to be careful of

 

the temptations and dangers of darkness.

 

 

 

Jesus will stop to search for a lost one

 

who wandered away from His flock.

 

He knows it by name and calls it tender

 

realizing in heart that it may be in shock.

 

 

 

He does not replace … the one that is lost

 

who is of His own  … and ever will be.

 

He adds to His flock and expands it in love

 

then gives to His Church … to nurture and keep.

 

 

 

When God gives a gift … a soul in a vessel

 

a soul that searches for peace out of the blue.

 

Is it up to the meekest … without any hassle

 

to use His talent … to love and raise it in truth?

 

 

 

New sheep are coming replacing the lost ones

 

and as they come in … they look so good.

 

In matter of time will they be “gone” ones

 

as wandered through holes searching for food.

 

 

 

Too whom much is given … much is required

 

as God fills us … He expects our care

 

into all for all … even the smallest matter

 

to be like Christ through constant prayer.

 

 

 

In Christ's church we have no choices.

 

We have to be … exactly like Christ.

 

Nothing less could raise our voices

 

through The Spirit … that's our plight.

 

 

 

So before we grow in simple numbers.

 

Let us grow tenderly … in God's Will.

 

Before satan … makes us slumber 

 

in satisfaction empowered by own will.

 

 

 

”There are wolves sheep's clothing”.

 

 “Only true spiritual eyes can see”.

 

So before we judge … I'm proposing

 

to not quench The Spirit and let Him rule free.

 

 

 

After thought:

 

 

 

Reading now … a few days hence

 

a sheep that oft in dis-obedience strays,

 

may wind up with a broken leg to mend

 

as Christ protects His own ... The only Way.

 

 

 

Jan Wienen