The Shepherd’s Example (9)
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6.9, 10
In my pre-adolescent years, I made pocket money by waxing people’s cars. They supplied the wax, and I supplied the know-how and the energy. I’d wash the car in our driveway, then my dad would bring it up into the yard, under our two elm trees. An afternoon of patient labor would ensue as I waxed to life the beauty that had waned in those vehicles.
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) would perhaps have approved of my childhood vocation. She knew a thing or two about waxing and waning: “And just as the moon, according to its disposition, is continuously waxing and waning, not shining by its own power but kindled instead by the light of the sun, so the Church also goes through stages. She waxes when her children gain increase of virtues, and wanes through deviant behavior or destructive hostilities against her…My Son shines on her so that she will persevere with the good.”
Growth in righteousness is expected on the part of believers and, we can assume, on the part of a congregation as well (cf. Eph. 4.11-16). If we only stay the same in terms of the good works we do for Christ, how will that be progress? The apostles teach us to “press on” (Phil. 3.14) and “give all diligence” (2 Pet. 1.5-11) in seeking to know the righteousness of Jesus Christ, waxing our souls with the cleansing and transforming power of Jesus so that the beauty He has invested in us can shine forth.
The shepherd’s job is both to exemplify that way of life and to lead and feed the sheep to grow into it. If the Light of Christ is waning in your church, perhaps it’s time to consider some way to wax and shine her up again.
Being disciples and making disciples
Church leaders are called to shepherd their flocks like Jesus did. He is our Good Shepherd, and we look to Him to show us how we must care for His sheep. This is the subject of my conversation with Mike McQueen, which you can listen to by clicking the link or the audio bar at the top of this issue.
Resources for Shepherds
Men, we’re offering some great opportunities for study and growth this fall. Our online Men’s Study Group, The Reason for Church, will follow Pastor Brad Edwards as he helps us identify the “defeaters” that keep our churches from shining as the light of the world. Read more and sign up for this free online study by clicking here.
Another offering this fall will be our Men’s Bible Study Group. The topic is The Ongoing Work of Christ: Acts and Beyond. We will look at all the work Jesus came to do, how the early Church sought to carry that work forward, and what the implications are for us. All meetings are online. For more information on dates and our free workbook, click here.
And if you’ve been looking for an opportunity to get into or get back into C. S. Lewis, two fall Men’s Reading Groups will be available, either to read and discuss Weight of Glory or to continue with us through the second part of God in the Dock.
Other columns of interest this week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we begin looking at commerce from a Kingdom perspective. Our Read Moore podcast continues readings from the book, Such a Great Salvation. Our Crosfigell series on Brendan of Clonfert finds the saint beginning his second voyage to find The Promised Land of the Saints. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
From the Celtic Revival
Brendan of Clonfert (fl. ca. 560 AD):
Brendan asked Paul how he came to that island and place, and where he dwelt previously, and how long he had endured that life. Paul answered him, and said: “My father, I was nourished in the monastery of Patrick…”
– The Life of Brendan of Clonfert
On his second voyage to find The Promised Land of the Saints, Brendan met Paul, an old hermit on a remote Atlantic island. His story helps us understand that our journey into the future depends in part on keeping close ties with our past.
Follow the rest of Brendan’s adventure of faith—which, while certainly historical, is in many ways a parable for every believer’s journey in the Lord. Add our twice-weekly Crosfigell teaching letter to your subscriptions.
Brendan was one of the first peregrinati—wandering missionary/scholars—of the Celtic Revival. They took as their example Patrick, who itinerated all around Ireland for nearly sixty years. Learn more about Patrick’s work in our free PDF, Patrick: A Devotional History. Take this 30-day devotional trip with the slave-turned-evangelist and let your faith grow to match that of Patrick.
T. M. Moore
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
