Where do we begin to . acknowledge people who care? Care about others. Maybe they didn’t start that way, but they got there anyway.
For Moses, it was a difficult journey. First, at age 40, he intervened to help a fellow Jew. When he did, the story got out, and he fled to another country. Then 40 years later, while tending Jethro’s flock, God spoke to him out of a bush. A burning bush, no less. Today, we would think Moses wasn’t right upstairs. But, God used this incident to get this humble man to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt.
God instructed the prophet Samuel the go and anoint the next king of Israel. Following God’s instructions, he arrived at the house with Jesse. When examining Jesse’s boys, seven of them, God said my choice is not here. Upon inquiry, the dad, Jesse, said I have one more boy, he’s the youngest, but he’s out taking care of my sheep. Samuel said, “Send for him.” As soon as David arrived, God said, “That’s the one,” the next king of Israel.
The first Christmas night, shepherds were doing what they do, taking care of their flocks. Then, out of nowhere, angels appeared and announced to these loners that the King of Kings, Israel’s Messiah, was born in a Bethlehem stable. So, the astute shepherds went to see baby Jesus.
These three illustrations have something in common. They are about caring people taking care of sheep. God is still using caring people today. We may not be shepherds, per se, but we still care about people.
A thoughtful attitude is a prerequisite for God’s service. Ordinary everyday service. Caring for others is our way of demonstrating a Christ-like brotherhood.
Caring and helping are godly characteristics that the recipients always appreciate—and are acknowledged by our Heavenly Father.
