If you’re an adult leading a group of small children through a mountain gorge in order to reach a campsite on the other side, you’ll do all you can to find the least-threatening, least-strenuous path.
You want to make sure your little lambs don’t fall to their injury or death and that one of them doesn’t fall behind because of the difficulty of getting to the other side.
You see, lambs need shepherds to be careful.
It’s true with parents.
And it’s true with Christians in a position to influence those younger in the faith.
Here is what the author of Hebrews wrote about this responsibility of shepherds toward the lambs :
“Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” (Hebrews 12:13)
Let’s do our best to avoid lifestyle or conversation patterns that can easily slip into sin — or are already tripping over the rocks of rebellion. Even though we know enough of scripture and of God’s willingness to quickly restore us at our repentance, the “weak and lame” believer might not.
Let’s commit today to showing others how to walk the safe, straight, strengthening path toward glory.
Jesus, the champion of faith, the initiator and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2) will get them to glory as the sheep and lambs trust Him.
And there will be a peaceful harvest of right living along the way (verse 11).
I want that.
I need that.
And so do the lambs watching my path and yours.
As always, I love you
Martin
