Bill Phillip's | Transformation

Do You Know the Shepherd?

September 25, 2008

We've probably all heard the saying:  "It isn't what you know, but who you know that's important."   Usually this is said with some digruntlement because we, or somebody we know, feel we have been cheated in some way. 

Last  night, I once again attempted to complete Bill's assignment #12B and began writing down the words I had used during the day.  And, once again, I did not complete the assignment.  Here's why: 

I began writing down words like "excited," "happy," "changing," and "spiritual."  The word "spiritual" made me pause and suddenly my mind raced back to a sermon I had heard in our church several years ago by a visiting minister.  I have never forgotten the sermon or the minister because his words and the message he shared with us that day made me realize for the first time that Who we know is all that matters!

The gist of the visiting minister's sermon was that the words we learn are not enough.  The things we say are not enough.  It is the power behind our words that matters.

He then told us about a British minister who had served a rural church in England for 40 years and would soon be retiring.  A professor of English from Oxford had been invited to honor the old minister at a special service.  The professor gave a beautiful talk recognizing the old minister's dedication and service and when  he finished, the presiding elder of the church asked the professor if he would please recite the 23rd Psalm.  The professor recited the Psalm with great eloquence as only a professor of English can do. 

Then the presiding elder asked the old minister being honored if he would bless the congregation and also recite the 23rd Psalm.  The old minister blessed his congregation and then recited the 23rd psalm: "The Lord is my Shepherd.  I shall not want...."    When he was finished, there was not a dry eye in the congregation.

After the service, a young man drove the professor to the airport and commented to the professor that he meant no disrespect, but he had noticed that there was a marked difference in the way the professor recited the 23rd Psalm and the way the old minister said it.  He asked the professor why they had both recited the same words, yet they seemed so different.

The professor humbly responded:  "Son, I know the words of the 23rd Psalm.  The old minister knows the Shepherd." 

Who do you know?  The answer could make all the difference in the power of your words.

Blessings, my friends.

Jackie