“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).

On Monday of this week, Sulojana and I were at a “Growth Day” for pastors and ministry leaders organized by Open Bible Faith Fellowship (OBFF).

George Woodward, the Secretary/Treasurer of OBFF was trying to get all the attendees back into the sanctuary following a refreshment break. Not everyone was heeding his pleas.

Spotting the frustration on his wife Marilyn’s face, I quipped: “It is not easy to herd a flock of shepherds, is it?”

That is when she came back with these words: “The shepherd is also a sheep.”

The profundity of what she said did not strike me until much later when I had some time for reflection.

There are times in my life when I get so caught up in the duties and responsibilities of “ministry” that I fail to make time to minister to the Lord by simply sitting at His feet.

Yes, I am a shepherd, but I remain forever a sheep who needs to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd on a regular basis in order to be a good shepherd to my flock.

Jesus did not say: “My shepherds hear my voice.” He said: “My sheep hear my voice.” Hello?

“Shepherd” is your title. “Sheep” is your identity.

You may have heard it said that the greatest teachers are also the greatest students. They never stop learning. The more they learn, the better they teach.

One of the healthiest churches in our area that is known for raising and releasing leaders in great numbers has a very interesting small group philosophy.

Simply put, every small group leader is also part of another small group where they are not the leader. Usually this group is led by a pastor.

In other words, while they continue to serve as shepherds of their own flocks, they are simultaneously sheep in their pastor’s pen.

They never stop listening. They are forever growing….and leading!

Dear DWOD friend, on your journey to your God-given destiny, you too will be entrusted with responsibility for the lives of others in positions of leadership.

You may not be in pastoral leadership as a shepherd. You may be in a position of leadership in business, in your workplace, in your home, in your school, in politics, in your community.

As the favour of the Lord shines upon you, you will find yourself being promoted and being raised up to greater levels of responsibility.

You may even turn out to be the acknowledged Shepherd of your tribe.

When you realize that the Shepherd is also a Sheep, you will place yourself in a posture of listening to and learning from the Good Shepherd himself, Jesus, our Lord. Always.

After all, Jesus, though He was called Master and Lord by His disciples, still took time to listen to His Father. Yes, He was the Good Shepherd, but He was also a sheep who kept in constant touch with His Shepherd. Wow!

Can we do any less?