Psalm
23:6b And I shall dwell in the house of
the Lord forever.
One of the characteristics
of capitalism is the mobility of the work-force. The average American changes
jobs every two and a half years. This is not because of lay-offs or
terminations of employment. Thirty percent of workers plan to change jobs in
the next three years. In today’s economy, millions of Americans have moved to
other parts of the country to find work. We are a very mobile community of
workers in good times and in bad.
Worker mobility and loyalty
are not mutually exclusive. That is, loyalty directly affects this mobility of
people. How then can we nurture a heart of loyalty in our ministry? This line
of Psalm 23 reflects a person aware of the richness of life that he has
experienced under the care of the shepherd. Instead of hopelessness or despair,
David expresses his commitment to the good shepherd. It is a voluntary act on
his part to remain with the shepherd and work to further His work.
Loyalty is nurtured by the
shepherd leader. Loyalty goes beyond the paycheck and focuses on the mission.
Even if your followers do not remain with the mission, you can still nurture
them to be advocates of the mission after they are gone.
Loyal sheep remain because
the shepherd can be trusted. Their work is fulfilling and the pay is supporting
their needs. They trust the leader and the organization to provide materially
and spiritually for them. They choose to never leave. Others may not be able to
leave. These sheep need a leader that can keep them productive and a part of
the flock. They may not be able to leave because of children or ailing parents.
Others may lack the ability to obtain other employment because of educational
or physical limitations. For them, the ministry and the shepherd are the best
they can achieve.
The good shepherd
knows his sheep. He strives to provide for each as they have need. He leads
them together to a place of blessing and fulfillment.
