The past two years I have been a Library Media Specialist in elementary schools. Prior to that, my teaching experience was high school. I still remember my first day with a kindergarten class. I was horrified! It was the first day of school for them, but I felt like I'd walked into life on another planet. I didn't understand what was going on. There were little, squirmy, babbling creatures rolling around on the floor with complete disregard for the fact that an adult was standing there two feet away giving them direction. Once in a while I'd catch sight of a little face looking my way or distinguish one voice out of the crowd saying, "I want my mommy." I was trapped with aliens, or might as well have been. And I was supposed to be in charge! When trying to describe my experiences to people who are not in the schools, the best analogy I could ever come up with was that teaching kindergarten is like trying to herd be-bes. After two years I got much, much better with my little kindergarten friends; but I only had to teach them once a week for a half hour. Their classroom teachers, on the other hand, got the pleasure of several hours a day with them in a smaller room come rain or come shine. I grew to revere kindergarten teachers; I also made haste to apply for a return to high school. I'm a chicken when it comes to little kids. They're too much work. So demanding. So needy. So self-centered. So stubborn. So . . . so everything I am on the inside, but mask pretty well most days on the outside.
I think every adult feels rather like a kindergärtner on the inside most days. Some days I'm unruly. I don't want to listen. I don't want to follow directions. I don't want to play nice. I have neglected good nutrition in favor of sweets or I have failed to get enough rest and now I'm fussy. I can throw a pretty good tantrum if I let myself.
There was a time in Israel's past when a king was sent to them. He was appointed by God to be the ruler of Israel and in II Samuel 5:2, the people reminded him of the Lord's words to him: "You will be the shepherd of my people Israel." That king was David. The children of Israel needed a shepherd, but no more so than all people need a shepherd. Which is why God sent word through one of his prophets, Micah, that a ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem to lead his flock with the Lord's strength and the majesty of the name of the Lord his God and he would be the source of peace (Micah 5:2-5). In John 10:14-15, Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me just as my father knows me and I know the father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep."
When we think about the quiet life, we have to consider Jesus, because He is our perfect example of obedience to any command of God. He lived it. As Shepherd, Jesus is our caretaker. He provides for our needs both spiritually and physically; guards us against the enemy by teaching us the truth; and He loves us, calling us each by name and speaking to us so that we come to know the sound of His voice. He is gentle and kind, protective and loving. We are his sheep.
Jesus showed us what quiet strength looks like. Even in physical pain and mental and emotional torment, Jesus faced his accusers and, fulfilling the prophecy about Him, was silent as a sheep before its shearers (Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32). He laid down his life for us. No one took it from Him. He gave it. Without fight. Without fuss. With dignity and full faith that God would do as He had promised. And He did.
Jesus is still our shepherd. He is returning one day soon and He will be our Shepherd, leading us to springs of life-giving water (Revelation 7:17). Until that day, we are to follow Him, listen for His voice, obey His commands. We are to be like Him. That means we can show the same care of the Shepherd to others of the flock as Jesus told Simon Peter in John 21:16 - if you love Me, take care of my sheep.
Who are you a picture of the Shepherd to today? Whether it's a class full of kindergärtners, a brood of teenagers, an unsaved relative or friend, you tend to them as the good Shepherd tends to you - in quiet strength. Stay away from brow-beating, nagging, shouting and ranting. Forgive. Live in just this moment and recognize the importance of it. Give your mind wholly to Jesus who will guard it and ask Him to place a seal over your mouth until you can speak His words alone, because they will be the ones the sheep in your life need to hear. You'll probably find they are the very words you need to hear, too. Go slowly today. Breathe. Listen for His voice, though it be still and small. Then follow your shepherd so those following you will not be lost or hurt along the way.
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