Sheep without a shepherd
The street children who are the target "market" of I Care (www.icare.co.za) are "lost without a shepherd"; they have run away from home & school, rejecting parental, societal ("it takes a village to raise a child") & academic discipline. They need intervention to guide them back to a life path in which their lives are not wasted.
As with the Gospel, they cannot be forced to accept this intervention; coercion in any form may result in outward compliance, in obeying the rules as far as is necessary to stay in the programme & enjoy its benefits, but without any underlying change of heart which will carry through to a changed life. And it is this changed life which is the "proof of the pudding", the "deeds" James talks about by which faith is shown.
What then of the sheep without a shepherd? What is that to us who do have direction & a sound foundation in life? We have the responsibility, the duty, the obligation, the privilege & the pleasure of showing the Way, of teaching the Way, & of leading others to the Way.
Created 5 months ago
