These are unsettling times. I was scrolling aimlessly through Twitter a night or two ago, through what seemed like endless political debate. Then I came upon a tweet from a pastor in Minnesota. This was not a celebrity pastor with a blue checkmark beside his name. This is a church planter with 712 followers who was bearing his soul in a moment of transparency and frustration:
As of this writing, Pastor Erik Lindeen has 181 retweets, 2,400 likes, and over 450 replies to his authentic, exasperated post.
He’s a shepherd who is leading sheep at a time of real uncertainty and real pain, anxiety, worry, and frustration.
For Pastor Erik, it’s the hardest year of his ministerial life. Perhaps this rings true for you too, and for some of you with whom I’ve spoken in recent weeks, that is what I’ve been gathering.
Some of the replies Pastor Erik received from fellow shepherds blew him away, and he said so in a subsequent tweet sixteen hours later. He felt alone, and that is precisely what the enemy has in mind for you. To keep you isolated. To make you feel like you’re “it.”
So incredibly thankful for the Body of Christ. – Pastor Erik Lindeen, upon receiving 400+ responses of affirmation from fellow believers.
I’m drawn to the Scriptures as I reflect upon this pastor and his expression of fatigue, anxiety, and worry. I’m particularly drawn to Psalm 23 wherein as under shepherds, I pray you are drawn close to the Good Shepherd today to really drink deep of the still waters as He leads you.
May you take a moment right now to read this very familiar passage of Scripture anew this afternoon. Be refreshed in Him, your Shepherd.
Psalm 23
The LORD Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever. (ESV)
Amen?