Long time ago I was a Shepherd Girl!

Every life experience has a lesson to learn.
In Exodus Chapter 3, we meet Moses and the Burning Bush. 
Verse 1 says, "Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, ... and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God .There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush...."

For forty years Moses was in the wilderness tending/shepherding the flock of his father in law. Clearly, mere education in Pharaoh's court was inadequate to EQUIP  Moses for God's work. The 40yrs of shepherding flock prepared him for his future task of Shepherding Israelites in the wilderness.

Somehow, I can imagine the experience Moses was going through. As I read through this chapter I remembered the days I was a shepherd girl tending my grandparents' livestock and I must say that was the most difficult season of my life. As a young girl below the age of 13years there were times I felt lonely, abandoned and forgotten in the fields; some seasons were tough and trying-dry, wet and muddy. During dry seasons I'd walk many kilometers away from home to find pasture and water for the cattle under the scorching sun. Sometime I'd cry and other times sing my heart out. Sometimes I'd get overwhelmed as the cattle strayed in neighbors' shamba. There were days I got home and was scolded apparently because the cattle strayed in other people's lands or because the cattle didn't get enough water/pasture. I felt unappreciated! There were other times my grandpa complimented me and bought me bananas or gave me honey. There were other times I got rained on while in the fields and only had a sack to put on my head. I shivered! There were some days I stayed in the fields from morning till evening with no food or water to drink! Interestingly, the cows were familiar with me and my voice (I believe so), I'd go closer to the cattle and touch them-I was confident the bulls couldn't kick me. There were days I loved being out there in the fields alone but other times I hated it. There were times I had to defend and carefully guide  the livestock using a rod. Sometimes I burned with anger and hit them badly, sometimes I'd even shout and insult the goats as if they'd understood the insults hehe! 

Well I believe it was not in vain! Love for my grandparents, patience, sense of responsibility and stewardship, humility and a sense of servanthood were tried and tested but God was and still is gracious to me!

My life's purpose and vision is to shepherd and disciple God's people-boys and girls, men and women that they mature in Christ. Thus I believe every experience I have to go through it is to prepare me for the above task. Just like Moses, I rest in the confidence that the "I Am" is with me (Ex. 3:12,14). 

In addition to the training, In Ex. 3:5 God revealed Himself to Moses as a Holy God (Holiness means separation from sin and commitment to righteousness). We've all had various experiences that have revealed God to us. There are times I've been rebellious and sometimes I've tried running away from God but I must say, God has dealt with me Graciously and Patiently! 
 
Do you know and understand your life's purpose? How is God preparing you for it?
It is not in vain! Stay strong,  the "I Am" is with you. Get to know Him and you will effectively be able to make Him known to others. 

With Love,
Kachel Nzaku