As leaders, we should look across the faces of our people and ask to see deeply into their hearts. Be careful of looking upon the outward appearance of man.

 

These hearts are those that Jesus desires to use in His great Kingdom exploits.

 

Each one precious to Him and it is indeed a huge responsibility to steward their hearts well.

 

The job of leading is more about them than it is about us.

 

Shepherding means steering, tending, mending, and cultivating who they are to become in Christ.

 

All of the glorious gifts and treasures He has placed within them, well, is what I’m looking for.

 

The Father’s heart knows every hair on their head and He has fashioned them for something special. He is very serious about them and what He has placed in them.

 

I must purpose to see them fully as He sees them.

 

This might include wading in waters of pains that are covering their gifting’s like a heavy blanket. In these hearts is the need for some gentle care and then suddenly as healing is beginning, their gifts start to unfold. You’ll not need to haphazardly force things. Holy Spirit knows the path they should take and the needs in their heart. Simply follow Him.

 

For some their teachings have become a heavy burden because it’s full of the law of the slave woman instead of the free woman (Galatians.) In essence the blood sacrifice of Christ has been in varying ways distorted. This needs to be cleared up so they can embrace the finished work of the cross whereby receiving the yoke that is easy and the burden that is indeed light.

 

Some have gifts that were misunderstood due to lack of training so the devil has had a hay day with them sending much confusion into their hearts. This is very common when one is prophetic with no understanding of spiritual gifts. We need these prophetic hearts fully active in the body because God uses them for sharpening and fine tuning our hearing. They bring clarity to confusing situations, drop words of knowledge into longing hearts, and can see behind the pretense of the enemy at work. They are frontline people and their gift can protect us when Jesus is putting it to good use.

 

There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing each flower of His begin to bloom in ways only the Spirit of God can breathe.

 

Leading well is not only about leading them to Christ but also about leading them to who HE is within them.

 

Lead well, friends. The sheep aren’t there to serve you, we are there to serve them.