⭐️  Pearl — John 10:3

The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (EHV) 

Jesus demonstrated this “Good Shepherding” throughout his ministry: The people he healed—the leper, the blind, the deaf—not with a wave of his hand but with deliberation and his healing touch. The Syrophoenician woman, pleading for her demon-possessed daughter, whose great faith he methodically tested and approved—on a day when his plan and desire was just to stay hidden. The children he took into his lap and blessed. The woman with the bleeding who dared not ask for healing but touched his robe instead—and for whom he interrupted his errand of mercy and stopped the procession, drew her out of the crowd, and assured her of her healing and lasting peace.

That’s the way Christ treats us. That’s the way God has always treated his children. No matter what’s going on, no matter what else there is for him to be concerned with, we get his undivided attention. Each one of us, individually. Not on a schedule, not by appointment, not for just a moment: whenever we pray or cry out. Whenever we need him. Which is all the time.

There are so many ways in which this is amazing—mind-blowing, even. Because God is infinite and infinitely capable, he can give you his undivided attention at the exact same time he is giving me his undivided attention at the exact same time he is giving billions of other people his undivided attention. And what he gives to anyone else doesn’t diminish what he gives to you—not the least little bit.

But what is just as amazing is why he does this. There’s really no reason why the Almighty God should take such an interest in one of his puny creations, nothing that would require him to care. But he loves you. He is merciful to you. He gives you his grace—and forgiveness, and eternal life, and no end of promises—without limit and without conditions. Just as he gave you his Son to be your Savior. Your Lord listens to you, he sits with you, he looks you in the eye, he focuses on your needs and dreams and feelings and questions and complaints, as though there is no one else more important to him. He loves you, so he gives you his undivided attention. All week—not just when you come to see him on Sunday morning.

What a contrast that is to what we see around us and, too often, in the mirror (if we look up long enough to notice). The four-year-old is excitedly trying to tell his mother about the toad he found under the slide at the playground, but her eyes are on her phone and the most she gives him is a shallow, “Hmm…that’s nice.” The teenager complains that her parents don’t understand her, but she never has time for the conversations they invite—her friends are just more important. The doctor makes clear that he’s more interested in getting your case recorded on the computer and moving on to his next patient than in actually learning who you are and why you’re there.

So thank God that he always gives us his undivided attention! 

And let it be your inspiration and guide. All week—not just when you’re reminded on Sunday morning.

As the Father’s children, as Christ’s disciples, as the Good Shepherd’s sheep, we want to love as he loves—it’s what we’re called to do! Which means loving our neighbor—your spouse of many years and many tired conversations, the babbling toddler, the rambling senior, the clueless classmate, the brother of your friend’s cousin you just met at the wedding, the lonely widower at the gym. And loving them as God loves us means giving, generously, what he gives: our undivided attention.

Think about what a difference it makes to you when your boss’ boss asks you how things are going and not only expects an honest answer but leans in and listens for it; when you go to that friend or family member and say, “Hey, you got a minute?” and he or she sets everything else aside, looks you in the eye, and gives you 45; when someone you’re meeting for the first time is more interested in getting to know you than in figuring out what he or she can get out of knowing you—or than just killing time until someone more interesting comes along. 

That’s a difference you can make, for others, in your life. And you’re following in the Good Shepherd’s steps when you do. Your attention is one of those things, like mercy, that you never lose out by giving away, and you’ll end up with a richer life by doing so. 

You are blessed to have the Lord’s undivided attention; it’s your privilege, now, to bless the people you know and meet with yours. 

This is a portion of the Five Star Monday Mornings Newsletter for April 27, 2026. For more information, or to subscribe, click on the link at the top of the page!