John 10:1-18.   Many of us aspire to be shepherds – to lead people to God and to safety from this dangerous world they were born into.  There is nothing wrong with such aspirations, as long as we are clear that we are no one’s Savior.  Only Jesus is the door of the sheep.  If we claim to lead people, and do not lead them to Christ – we are thieves and robbers.  We are stealing people from Christ.

The reason is that God has appointed Christ as the Good Shepherd.  Jesus has proven his qualification by literally giving his life for us – as only a true shepherd would do.

LORD, for the leaders among us, may you keep us focused on bringing people to you – and not winning them to ourselves.