Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Leadership (03/14/05)
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TITLE: Follow the (Right) Leader | Previous Challenge Entry
By
03/18/05 -
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“Grandpa,” Travis asked curiously, “how come you got a sheepdog?”
“Why, it’s ol’ Shep’s job to keep those sheep in line,” his grandfather answered.
Travis watched as Shep raced ahead and cut off the big ram at the head of the flock. “Why does he seem to pick on that sheep with the big horns all the time?”
“Shep’s not picking on him,” his grandfather chuckled. “That ol’ ram is the leader of the flock. Shep knows when he’s going in the wrong direction, when he’s headin’ for trouble and he leads him back out of danger. Otherwise the whole flock would follow that ram into trouble.”
Travis looked confused. “Why would the flock follow him if he’s going the wrong way? Wouldn’t some of ‘em notice?”
“Well, son,” his grandfather explained, “sheep aren’t the smartest of animals. They’ll follow a leader wherever he goes, off a cliff if that’s what the leader decides.”
“That’s not too smart, huh, Grandpa?”
“No, Travis, it’s not.” Grandpa agreed. “But it’s not that much different than some people I’ve met.”
“What do ya mean,” Travis questioned, “do you know people who follow sheep?”
“No, they don’t follow sheep,” Grandpa chuckled again. “But they do sometimes follow other people to places they shouldn’t go.”
“Like where?” Travis wanted to know.
“Well,” Grandpa thought for a moment. “Say someone in school wants you to do somethin’ that you know God wouldn’t want you to do. Even adults will sometimes have a leader or a boss that wants them to do somethin’ that’s against God’s will. We need to be careful not to follow someone who’s wrong just because they’re the leader.”
Travis considered that and then replied, “Too bad we don’t have an ol’ sheepdog like Shep to lead us back out of trouble, huh, Grandpa?”
“Well, Travis, in a sense we do,” Grandpa explained. “Our ‘sheepdog’ is the Holy Spirit and He’ll lead us away from bad things if we listen to Him.” Grandpa paused as he looked down over the hillside. “Trouble is, we’re often dense like sheep and don’t listen the way we should. We gotta be careful to keep our eyes on the right leader. You know Who that is, son?”
“Jesus?” Travis answered.
“Right you are,” grinned Grandpa. “Follow His example and you’ll never go wrong. Now let’s get on home ‘cause my belly is leadin’ me to your Grandma’s stew pot!”
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Well written and would make a good teaching lesson for children.
Kathy