Somehow divinely, I have been meeting old friends over the week. It is good to catch up over old times and remember the times- good and bad– together that had impacted my life.

One of them was Joshua (picture below). He was my first appointed shepherd or spiritual mentor in Hope Church. And this was the first time we got to sit down to talk after 3-4 years.

My first shepherd

If my memory serves me right, I really gave him hell back then. I came in as a newbie-in-Christ carrying all of my past attitudes, beliefs and habits. And somehow, he managed to take my crap =P  

With him, I recall many conflicts we have had as my carnal nature was challenged by the word of God he taught me and tried to impart on many occasions. But basically, I understood that had long and thick “horns” that had to be sawed off.

Being a shepherd

Going thru everything that I did with Joshua and gaining revelation through the word of God, I have learnt to embrace the call of God in being a shepherd to others (c.f. John 21: 15-17).

Without the unconditional love and godly guidance,  sheep like me would get have gotten lost.

Therefore I thank God he (Joshua) loved me just enough to persist and faithfully followed up on me all the time. Or else I’m pretty sure I would not have remained in Hope or with God growing strong and biblical.

It is seeing and catching up with friends like him that reminds me of God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life.

Thank you God =)