By Mike Klockenbrink
Outside our office we have a nice fish pond with a little waterfall and all the trimmings. We keep it stocked with goldfish or what I would call wannabe Koi fish. They look like Koi but they’re not as expensive. Our front desk administrative assistant has been given the responsibility of feeding these little guys each morning. That is Monday through Friday. Over the weekend, they are on their own.
Every now and then I like to go out and feed the fish. It makes me feel good, like I’m taking care of them or playing some part in their existence. I was out there the other day getting ready to feed them and noticed that they didn’t come right up to the surface as I approached the pond. When Carole, our front desk administrative assistant goes out to feed them, they are waiting. Could it be that the fish actually recognize her? Maybe. However, once I toss the food in the water, it didn’t take long before they swam right up to the top and devoured it.
As I looked around the fish pond in the office it reminded me of John 10, The shepherd and his flock. The sheep know the shepherd and respond to his voice. Does my staff know my voice? Yeah, they know my voice, but do they listen to me when they hear it? The true question is; do I know my staff and do I hear their voice.
Again in John 10:14 it says; “I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” It doesn’t happen overnight, it takes an investment of time. How much time to you allot each week to put food in the pond or invest in getting to know your staff?
You get out of it what you put into it. Any fisherman will tell you it takes having the right bait and a lot of patience.
Happy fishing.
Mike Klockenbrink is chief of staff at Lakeside Church, Folsom, CA.
[ www.lakesidechurch.com]
