Sheepherder or Ph.D.?

Amos 1-3 Simple but profound

Two days ago, my childhood friend passed from this earthly life to sit at the feet of Jesus. Her mother washed my diapers, and my mother did the same. That is how long we have been childhood friends. She was not a theologian of the Bible, but her life was a theology lesson in her deeds. She was, in some ways, the Ruth to her Naomi and her mom. Then her Boaz served her when she slipped into Alzheimer’s. It was fitting that God chose him, for he was an undertaker by profession, sort of like Amos was a sheepherder. God needs shepherds, and God used Amos for His wandering sheep.

We say Amos was “just” a sheepherder, but God chose him out of all the Ph.D.’s and the others to tell the nation of His plans. How often do we feel like Amos because we don’t have a pedigree, or do we feel like Jeremiah thinking some other person will tell them? But, God has chosen what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise and what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. [1Cor 1:27]

So what does that have to do with our study today? Amos shared this truth: the Sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan. [Amos 3:7] And that truth is: God is not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance. [2Peter 3:9] God uses sheepherders and those who have a Ph.D. God uses ALL of us to be His conduit to a lost and dying generation. God had a simple warning message: For three things…no make that four was his repeated refrain.

What simple message has God given you to share? And more importantly, are you going and telling?