Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
AWAKE O ZION!
ture bunch.) I remember being annoyed at Pete for being an
elder when I wasn’t. I also remember Pete regularly handing
in his resignation! Being a shepherd was no joke. You were
pushed up to the front line and from then on you were supposed
to be a guardian of others and a fount of wisdom. The
qualifications for eldership in 1 Timothy and Titus were
enough to make anyone quail (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). But
at least we weren’t into wine and brawling!
In community houses, being an elder meant continuous responsibility.
All sorts of people came round and looked to the
elders as examples of godliness. The shepherds learned to
cast themselves on the Lord. They had to.
God gave us much wisdom about what it cost to be a shepherd.
One picture was of a flock of sheep protected by a strong
wooden fence. All over the fence could be seen the claw marks
of the wolf. The sheep were safe, but the shepherds who protected
them would suffer fierce attack. In another picture
the true leader was seen as a servant with a mop and bucket.
Another scene showed a garden with flowers and trees while
in the corner lay a heap of rich manure that the gardener
used to nourish them. What was that? The leaders, of course!
Mud, sweat — and tears! A year ago, Malhamdale had been
visionary, the first real sight of community. Since then, the
cross had bitten deep and some were running from it. The
self-life got us into trouble and messed it all up. God’s word
had to penetrate ‘even to dividing soul and spirit’ (Heb 4:12)
and reveal our true motivations. Altars were built. Tears were
shed. Sacrifices were made. Some were captivated by Jesus
and considered remaining single for the sake of his kingdom.
‘How few are the enraptured souls who languish for love of
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