Lighthouse Keeper

Jesus said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You—follow me.” That is how the rumor got out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that is not what Jesus said. He simply said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you?” John 21:22 MSG

Most of the grumblings I hear from people are “other sheep” complaints. People accusing other people of being goats (Matthew: 25 31-46) and not real Christians. Accusing other Christians of being gossips and judgemental. Not interpreting the Bible correctly (I get this one all the time), only turning up to the church for the Christmas dinner or the BBQ. We moan and judge and niggle at the other sheep and the community Jesus has put us in because we want the “other sheep” (and maybe the Shepherd or the pasture) to be different. 

It’s natural for people rubbing up against each other in community to get frustrated with each other and it’s natural that at times, there will be friction. But where is Jesus in this picture? What sheep has He chosen to place you with? Maybe He’s doing something in you that can’t or won’t be done in another environment. 

I’ve been to big megachurches like Hillsong Australia and small community gatherings with ten people. It’s always the same: 

“They weren’t friendly” 

“They seem a bit weird”

“They do the hands in the air thing”

“There was too much Old Testament”

All of these are sheep and flock issues and not Jesus issues. Jesus calls us to follow him even when we don’t understand the bigger picture and to trust Him to lead us to green pastures and still waters (Psalm 23).

Sometimes (most of the time) there are valleys and places where things seem desolate and confusing. That’s the trust part. If we are fixed on what the “other sheep” are up to all the time, we start comparing our walk with others when we have no idea what the True Potter is making in His studio. We are all unique creations and you’ll often find the “weird sheep” end up being the most devout and Christ-like in your storm. The “cool sheep” -that everyone wants to be friends with- fade away and often you won’t see them anywhere near a church in the decades ahead.  Cut the other sheep some slack and remember: the call is to follow Jesus not the flock. We are all “weird sheep”.