At Thanksgiving, we pause to become pensive and collect our thoughts about the year. Even if the year has been less than stellar, we can somehow find a way to be thankful about something at Thanksgiving.
Last week during my devotion time, I thought about the 23rd Psalm and how David ascribed the tenets of a shepherd to the character of the Creator. He says “The Lord is my shepherd” and as he received shepherding from YHWH, he detailed what He does for him like David did the sheep in his care. These were no ordinary sheep as nearly all the sheep in Bethlehem were set aside for sacrifice in the temple. He knew that this flock needed special care. He knew that too needed special care and that it took an even more special shepherd to provide it.
He knew that feast days called for unblemished sacrifices. Attention to detail was the standard, and this was no menial task he was assigned to. He was entrusted with overseeing the flock the people used in service to God. It may be a stretch to call him a “black sheep”, but he did say that he was a stranger in his own house (Psalm 69:8). It was thought that David was the product of adultery, so he was regularly mistreated as a pariah within the ranks of Jesse’s heirs. He was of Jesse’s house but of no consideration. This they proved when Samuel came to anoint Israel’s next king. He had to ask Jesse, are these all your sons?
To them, David was a forgettable, regrettable mistake, but in truth, he was the apple of God’s eye (Psalm 17:8). In this psalm of praise, David exclaims that the Lord most high is his shepherd, protector, and patron. When forsaken by his own family, he knew that the Lord would avenge every wrong done against him and entrusted his life and soul into the Lord’s care.
He became acclimated to the proclivities of sheep and knew that they were smarter than they get credit for. They are so smart that some sheep had a sole advocate in a shepherd. If they were not careful. some sheep would find themselves outsmarted and without nourishment. Other sheep disregarded sick sheep and, since they constantly graze, they would have very little to feed on once they recovered. This is why the shepherd would set aside a meal for the injured or sick sheep. In their own strength, they would drink only from still waters. They would otherwise be carried away from a flowing stream. In the instance that the meal was prepared, the water provided was in abundance hence, his cup runneth over. This speaks to the superabundance of God’s grace in our lives. A grace that always makes room for more than what is desired.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5
Of course, the other sheep had to watch this sheep get special treatment as they dined on what would otherwise be consumed by their voracious counterparts. In short, the Lord does for him what he does for the sheep in his care. He guides them with a rod and staff. He anoints their heads with oil so that parasitic insects don’t burrow into their fur, dine on them, and ultimately destroy them.
He has seen sheep in their worst state and thanks God for protecting his sheep as he could protect the sheep in his care. I’ve been writing the second edition of one of my books and as I learned more about shepherding, I got stuck on Psalm 23:5. This led me to write my psalm of praise as I reflected on my life. You know, it’s so easy to feel rushed to do anything. It’s so hard to compare yourself to others and even get despondent about your journey. It’s so easy to feel uncovered and uncared for in this cruel world.
As I reflected on the verse, I found myself thanking God for preserving my portion! I thanked God that no misstep, detour, disobedience, sabotage, or betrayal was a match for the Lord, my shepherd! In fact, He preserved my portion and held back my “enemies” who then had to watch me dine! Now that’s some real shepherding!
This Thanksgiving lesson is two-fold. The Lord showed me that He will always make a way for me and that He’s showing my enemies that nothing they do or throw my way will prevent me from partaking in the portion He has prepared for me! Over the years, I’ve learned that some enemies in my life aren’t human. They’re imposter syndrome, low self-esteem, doubt, faithlessness, condemnation, fear, and a bevy of other demonic and natural forces working against me. None of them are a match for the shepherd who will leave the 99 covered to retrieve the sheep who have lost their way.
Nothing’s missing, nothing is lacking. As one translation puts it, “The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.” Reflecting on this lesson, I’ll say it this way, “The Lord is my shepherd, I will have everything I need and will possess every blessing assigned to my life.” Why blessings? Don’t you know that what the Lord provides as shepherd is more than we could ever do for ourselves? When we rely on Him, we release ourselves to His blessings, His way! I would never reduce my reliance on God to only demanding blessings. Job refuted his wife’s demand that he curse God and die with this, “What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10)
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Paul told the church at Thessalonica “in everything give thanks” not necessarily for everything. So whether I feel fulfilled or forsaken, I’ve found a way to be thankful! I’ve learned to be content no matter the state of my life. This year has been hard for business but it has also been one of the best. I’ve learned lessons about myself that have strengthened my trust in God and also showed me when I’ve missed his provisions. He was making ways I couldn’t see nor understand but I’m thankful that I learned more about the shepherd I trust with my life and my soul.
As the songwriter penned, “I trust in God wherever I may be. Out on the land or on the sea. Come what may from day to day, my Heavenly father watches over me.” I could be fearful about my future. I could fret about my past. But I shall do neither because I trust in the God. I trust that He is the good shepherd, I believe in Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep. The Lord is my shepherd, and at the appointed time, I shall have my portion prepared for me!
What a lesson! As I reflect on what I’m thankful for this year, I’m thankful to the Lord that He has preserved my portion! It didn’t spoil, it won’t spoil, but it remains as fresh as the day I was chosen for it! There’s so much to be thankful for, this is just one of millions! I will spend the remainder of my life giving thanks to God for what He has done for me!
If you’re reading this and you haven’t yet made the Lord shepherd of your soul, I’m willing to pray with you to guide you through that. If you want to learn more about this shepherding or have questions, I’m open to talk. Simply email me and let’s talk!
In this episode, we discuss what led us to this point and how we’re seeking to maneuver from this pivotal moment. Each week, you’re invited to join the discussion and share your thoughts with us. We serve in local churches and have many friends who are faith leaders and leaders within other local assemblies. There are many topics they cannot openly discuss but using this platform, we will. We also have several friends and family members who no longer attend church.
Some of them have walked away from the faith and some of them were never really into the church thing beyond the demand of their parents. So, what we do? Our answer is this discussion platform where no topic is off-limits. We’ll do our best to openly and transparently discuss these hard-hitting topics through the lens of the word and our vast experiences. Join us each week, we’re saving a seat for you!
In the Greenleaf series finale, I heard much more than an artificial sermon, and I want to share with you what I heard. I heard a message I just can’t seem to shake about “something new”, from Isaiah 43:18,19. When Lady Mae Greenleaf preached the final message of the OWN Series “Greenleaf”, I heard something that reached beyond the script and screen. I heard an admonition for people to plea with God for newness. This is also the precipice upon which we can build our case for requesting newness from God. Considering the immense losses characterized by the pandemic, it’s a good time to receive newness from God. Almost nothing is the same as it was before last year. Why spend time trying to get back to what may never return? This is the perfect time to pray, “Lord, make me something new.” After surviving the first leg of a global pandemic, if not done already, we all need to ask the Lord for a clean heart. We made it through the worst of times, made worse by an epidemic of abject failure in the white house. For many of us, newness is the gift that remains unopened following the Christmas season. If you’ve been living beneath your Kingdom privilege, ask for a new mind and heart to receive and process God’s plan for your life. If you’ve been away from the ark of safety, it’s a good time to ask for a new heart pointed to Christ. Maybe greed or other distractions have taken hold of your focus. It’s completely fine to ask for renewed focus. Whatever you need, God is able and even willing to give. In fact, James tells us that all good and perfect gifts come from God (James 1:17). If you lack wisdom, he tells us to ask God who will graciously give it to us and doesn’t berate or tear us down for asking (James 1:5).
While the show is fictional and loosely based on the lives of a few preachers and their families (the writers kept viewers guessing on that), what “Lady Mae’s character preached in the series finale is very real. As this year closes, let’s close chapters on relationships that aren’t working to serve the best interest. Let’s pack up if needed and follow God’s leading to His place of provision for you. Let’s forge ahead and create new friendships and partnerships that will serve symbiotically and create synergistic wholeness. If 2020 has taught us nothing else, it has taught us that we need each other. Far more than that, we need the right people in our lives and need to make room for others to go and come as directed by destiny.
Still from Greenleaf Series Finale, OWN Networks
In the series finale, Bishop Greenleaf was dead, and Lady Mae had been given the reins of the church. If you watched the series, you know just how tumultuous Bishop Greenleaf’s tenure was. You know that it wasn’t without scandal, but you also know how hard he worked to try and serve the church, despite his flaws. Last year, many of our generals in the faith have transitioned leaving the ministries they founded and cultivated without a leader suddenly. In the prayer for the Lord to make us new, there’s also an onus that we must accept in being made someone new. Many of us will have to rise into a posture of leadership, some will find that they have run but not far enough to escape the call of God on their lives.
Still from Greenleaf Series Finale, Lamman Rucker, Lynn Whitfield, Deborah Joy Winans, Courtesy OWN Networks
Many will find themselves in the strange land of servanthood, not knowing when the journey began or how they arrived. This is what 2021 will look like for many others. We are leaving behind so many beloved saints, loved ones and friends in 2020-the year none of us saw coming. It was the year of vision, not because of what we could see, but because of what we couldn’t. For this, the year of vision is now known as the year of clarity. Much of what we now see is clear to us and clearer than it has ever been. Many marriages have failed, and forlorn lovers now gone their separate ways, never to return. Many have discovered that the jobs and corporations they poured their best selves into see them as expendable and not the irreplaceable asset they thought they were. Many churches have discovered that their building was merely an idol as membership engagement suffered when the ministry was idled by gathering limits of ten or fewer and the advent of weekly streaming for services of each size. By 2021, we will see much more clearly than we did in January 2020 but what we see will require a newness not everyone has or will be ready for. While some have embraced the need for relationships, some have discovered that it was the people around them who held up their progress. They’ll in turn forge ahead alone and unafraid of the journey. They won’t resemble the person that entered 2020 unsuspecting of the tragedy, trials and triumphs the year brought. In all, it was the perfect setup for the year we are to soon face.
A Prayer for 2021
So Lord, make me something new! When I’ve been untrue, make me a truth bearer and not a tale bearer. When I’ve been unfaithful, make me as high fidelity as a Maxwell tape, because ain’t nothing like the real thing! When I’ve been afraid, make me bold like a lion! When I’ve been unsure, give me security in your Word! When I’ve been without, supply my need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. When I’ve been distant, draw me close to you. When I’ve been distracted, give me clear focus, and clear my path. When I’ve been lost, be my compass. When I’ve been angry, sooth my spirit and give me peace. When I’ve been lonely, comfort me with your presence. When I’ve been hasty, give me patience. When I’ve been haughty and lifted with pride, humble me under your mighty hand. When I’ve been sick, heal me! When I’ve been empty, fill me! When I’ve been in grief, turn my mourning into dancing. When I’ve been without a song, give me a melody for the midnight hour.
We’re weeks away from the new year and amid Christmas shopping, some of us are appraising our year. We’ve made our lists and seek to check them twice to make sure the aspirations of January are the accomplishments recognized in December. If you’re like me, January and December look nothing alike! This is for some good and a lot more of the same debilitating issue!
Please don’t think the worst, I’m fine. What I’m talking about is procrastination, fear and self-doubt. This really gets on my nerves, but it’s not enough to just call it out. Though some great strides were made and a fabulous writing opportunity came my way, I really didn’t make the changes and moves I said I would in January.
Just another year, looking out the window watching the asphalt grow! Yep…the year passed me by and I didn’t get as much done as I should have. There’s no one to blame, so I have to fess up…it’s my fault. It’s all my fault! There was no injustice, no freak accidents, no turns for the worse…just a big ol’ serving of living small! How can I write big books about doing great things and end up doing nothing? Doesn’t make sense, does it?
I don’t think so! Sometimes, I think I write those books trying to convince myself! Nah, that’s not the reason…those books are good, have you read them? If not, go here to check them out. I think I get it now, ideas and even ideals are all fine in good within the confines of your home and the safety of your circle. But out in the world, they’ll be challenged, assaulted and attacked. So, it’s safe to stay ‘inside’…looking out the window, watching the asphalt grow!
I was thinking about new year’s resolutions the other day and said to myself, “before you worry about the new year, you need to deal with what you left unfinished and undone this year!” I decided to follow my own advice and this writing is part of it! I’m not only fessing up and facing my shortcomings, I’m making a new list of what I won’t allow to happen again!
I even decided I want to slim down for looks and not just health! *No pictures, please!* Seriously though, we don’t have forever to do what God has given us to do. We can’t continue to rob God of the time and gifts He has given us. I won’t do it…I can’t do it, anymore! There are only a few more weeks in the year. Let’s move forward, for a change! 2021 can still be the year it was supposed be, change for the new year starts by course correcting this year!
Today I finished a job that was weeks in the making. I took a sigh of relief then I thought about how glad I would be to spend time doing something besides that job. It took so long and there were days I couldn’t see the end in sight! But, it was only one part of a busy week and start to the new year.
With that sense of accomplishment came the temptation to look around and find something else to get into! I was quickly reminded that there was other work that needed to be completed before starting something else! Then as I often do, I thought about the significance of that reminder. Here’s something I wrote down when I thought about it, before you go do anything else, you need to be certain that you’ve completed the current assignment!
That’s not really sexy and I’d never think of putting it on a shirt but it did remind me to remain focused! As I sat back down at my desk, I was reminded about another post I was working on as 2022 came to a close. In that post, I asked another question that keeps me grounded, “Am I being successful in my assignment?” It’s easy to become distracted and put down what you’re doing to follow the crowd and do what everyone else is doing or what is considered cool. I couldn’t because I hadn’t yet finished the work for my clients.
Before you go do anything else, be certain that you’ve completed the current assignment!
Comparison is the thief of joy and often times admiring and even envying what someone else has will cause you to miss the beauty in what you’re beholding! Though there was a bit of a reprieve in my home office today, the work continues!
As you read this, I want to encourage you to keep working! Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Don’t count their numbers or try and measure their harvest before your fields turn white! We’re capable of much more than we accomplish. Problem is, we only find out when we’re focused enough to follow through!
When you’re tempted to detour or deviate from your journey, ask yourself the question, “am I being successful in my assignment?” Lastly, I leave you with this thought. I decided in late 2022 not to spend another day comparing myself to anyone else. Instead, I’m choosing to spend my days and time in compliance to the will of God for my life! That should eliminate any comparison or envy. Try it and let me know how it works for you!
“Distraction-proof” is my new way of life!
Ready to commit to being the best version of you this year?
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