John 21: 15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again, Jesus said, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, Lord you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
This summer, I went to Africa for a mission trip with 16 graduating seniors that were college bound. In Africa, we saw a lot of wonderful things. We saw great need of the Ugandan people. When I say these people have nothing, I mean materially they have nothing. In the villages there are not any homes that have running water, no electricity, hardly any furniture. The furniture consists of a pallet on the floor and maybe a bench of two for people to sit. Some homes do not even have a roof. But, these people were the happiest, most joyful people I have ever met. These people were loving and gracious and when we entered their homes, they sat on the dirt floor and gave us the bench. They would graciously give us whatever extra they had, whether it be a pineapple, avocado, or bananas. We went to Africa to feed God’s sheep, but instead, they feed us and taught us what pure joy is about.
One night on the trip, a student said the trip had been amazing, because the student had seen God’s presence first hand and it was so awesome. The student had been praying that God would reveal himself and during that trip; God did show up in big ways. As the group was talking about that, someone commented that it’s hard to see God in the United States, where we are too busy and preoccupied. I challenged all of the students to pray that prayer, “God reveal yourself to me. Show me the lambs and sheep you want me to feed.” God is just as real in the USA as he is in Africa. God is waiting for us all to feed his sheep, whether they are in your neighborhood, or in a village in Uganda.
As a mom, begin to notice the sheep God has placed in your life. Start with your own family. When Jesus says to take care of his sheep, you may have two to four little lambs in your own home to take care of and minister. Teach these lambs about God, nurture their spirits with God’s word and teach them that their Heavenly Father loves and adores them. We also have other sheep in our lives: teachers, grocery clerks, library assistants, dentist, doctors, nurses; the list goes on and on. Ask for God to open your eyes to the sheep he has placed in your circle and then feed his sheep.
It’s a big world out there, we ALL need to get busy, there is much work to be done.
