Stop Running

John 10:12-13

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Three representations of leadership are presented in this verse. The first type of person is a wolf. The wolf is out for one thing, to destroy the sheep. The wolf does not care who he hurts to get what he wants; if he must destroy to get what he wants he will do it because he does not care for the sheep.

The hireling is the second person represented in this passage. The hireling is similar to the wolf in that when he sees the wolf coming, he runs because he only cares for one person, himself. It does not bother the hireling if the sheep are destroyed by his running, because he only cares for his own agenda.

There is only one difference between the wolf and the hireling; the wolf is not saved but the hireling is. The wolf represents the lost person who is religious and will destroy the sheep with his false doctrine. The hireling is saved, but the hireling has a tendency to run whenever things get tough because he only looks out for himself. He does not invest his heart in the sheep because he is a hireling.

However, there is a third person represented in this passage, and that person is the shepherd. The shepherd does care for the sheep. The shepherd is willing to be hurt and even killed by the wolf to save the sheep. When danger comes, he stays and faces the danger. The shepherd is willing do everything in his power to be sure the sheep are safe from that which will hurt them.

One sad thing I have seen in Christianity is that more act like the hireling than the shepherd. What I mean is that many believers are prone to flee their church than to stay and build the lives of those God has given them to build. No church will be strong when people are prone to flee. Let me share a few times we need to learn to be like a shepherd and not run.

First, don't run when your personal life gets difficult. Many churches struggle because people have not determined to be faithful in their own personal struggles. Times get hard, and many believers quit church thinking that will resolve their difficulties. The shepherd will always be there for the sheep even when they are personally going through difficult times.

Second, don't run when other opportunities arise. Many believers have left their sheep when they saw a “greater” opportunity that would benefit them. Instead of staying and giving their life for those they lead, they look for a better place that will benefit them and their personal desires.

Third, don't run when the church goes through difficulties. Many have left a church in difficult times only to leave young believers open to the wolves of the world. The best time to stay is when the church is going through hard times. Don't run because the church is under attack. Young believers need to see mature believers staying.

The great need in churches are believers who bury their heart in their church and determine to stay so they can build the lives of young believers. If you will determine to act like a shepherd instead of a hireling by not running, God will use you to build many lives for the kingdom of God.