You can’t change a person’s heart.
That’s the work of God’s Spirit.
Many pastors and teachers get frustrated when people fail to live up to their expectations, or when they come so far only to mess up again. I’ll join you in that frustration. Some take it personal. Even if they are doing all they know to do and are called to do, people wander. Many pastors and teachers I know blame themselves. They allow it to impact their self-esteem or use it as a measure of their effectiveness.
But…
The job of the shepherd is to lead sheep to the source of provision, not be the provision.
Shepherds point people to truth and grace, but you can (and should) trust God with people’s hearts.
The job of a shepherd is not to make grass or water. It’s to lead the sheep to quality grass and water.
You can’t change another person’s heart, so don’t be too frustrated when people don’t seem to change.
That’s God’s job.
Do the leading…let God do the changing.
Do you get frustrated when sheep run astray?
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Thanks! I agree.
"The job of the shepherd is to lead sheep to the source of provision, not be the provision."
Yes. And when pastors forget this they can get into dangerous territory, becoming controlling of others or refusing to set up boundaries or doubting their ability to minister.