Pastor Swan

I beheld an eyrar of swans glide down the local canal last month. Half a dozen plump cygnets were led by one adult, and followed by another. This meant none would be lost by swimming on ahead nor by falling behind. Any dawdlers would doubtless receive an admonitory honk or peck.

Perhaps this is like pastoring. Some Christians are apt to run ahead with visions, hobby-horses or emotional excess. Others lag behind, on account of spiritual weakness or worthless distraction. Some people who have ‘moved on’ from Salem Chapel over the past few years fit into one of these two categories. Once they swim off, this old Mute has little else to do. Some grow into beautiful swans regardless, others remain ugly ducklings, skulking around the discarded trollies of a dirty canal.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Jude 20-23, NKJV.