Shepherd Staffs

On what holds us up and sees us through

As my broken leg heals, I’ve begun taking walks of up to 2,000 steps. It’s my trekking poles that make this possible, as they keep me upright, hold me steady, and support me on my way.

I was thinking about this while reading from the book of Zechariah in the Scriptures. God is fed up with shepherds (leaders) that bring harm to his people, so he commissions Zechariah to shepherd them instead. Especially those who were weak, oppressed, and afflicted - those for whom God always seems to have a tender heart.

As Zechariah undertakes this job, he goes and gets himself two shepherding staffs, not unlike my trekking poles. No rods, mind you, but two staffs (which intrigues me). Staffs representing God’s loving, guiding presence. Staffs that would additionally support him as he walked. Staffs he could lean on to rest. And what Zechariah does next simply tickles my toes to no end - he names them!!

“I took two staffs in my hand — one I named Favor of God and the other I named Unity of the People. With those I took care of the sheep” (Zech. 11:7, Voice).

Now, to know me is not only to love me, but to know how much I love a good name! Our cars are Frank and Ellie. My new bike? Mabel. Names are so important to me that there are businesses I will not patronize, or on the contrary, products I will buy up in a snap, all because of their names.

So when I saw that Zechariah named his staffs, well, I was both delighted and inspired! I began thinking of my trekking poles as shepherd staffs and wondered what I might name them. What would I choose for this season I’m in, or the task that lies before me, which otherwise might be way too much without said staffs on which to lean?

Zechariah chose Favor and Unity. With these he was supported. With these, he led. After perusing all my options in the Shepherd Staff Store (a store to which I would absolutely give my patronage), I chose wisdom and grace.

Wisdom, which according to James 3:17, is gentle, wholehearted, untainted, full of mercy, genuine, and sincere.

And Grace, God’s unmerited, unearned, and undeserved favor and kindness. God’s ridiculously benevolent love.

These. These will steady and support me. Equip and enable me in guiding others to safe ground and places of well-being. Hold me up and see me through. Like my trekking poles, they will equip and enable me on the daily to get to where I am going.

So if you happen to catch a glimpse of me walking around my neighborhood, it’ll be with Wisdom on one side and Gracie on the other. Together, we’ll get there, one step at a time, and safely so.

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REFLECTION & RESPONSE

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Ponder: 

What shepherd staffs would you choose for this season of your life, and why?

Why might Zechariah have chosen 2 staffs, but no rod?

Practice:

Find yourself 2 walking sticks and name them. Then take a hike / walk and think about how they might serve you well for this season you are in.

Play:

The song we’re playing is: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Jess Ray.

Pray:

Teach me to walk well through my days.

Offer:

Friends, if you want more of these words or want to share them with others, consider buying my book. This link will give you 15% off until the end of the year.