During the month of April, I’ve chosen to blog through the alphabet. Each day I will use a letter to share a Name of the Lord that begins with that letter based on Proverbs 18:10 and the fact that there is strength in the Lord’s Name. I pray you’ll be blessed and that you’ll stop by often.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10 – NIV

Overseer

If you’ve been going to church for any amount of time, you’ve heard how dumb sheep are. They follow whoever is leading them, even if it is straight into harm’s way. They are easily confused or riled. They don’t know how to get themselves “unlost” or out of danger.

If you’ve been going to church for any amount of time, you’ve also heard how we as human beings are often referred to as sheep. We too seem to follow whoever is leading us. We are easily confused or riled. We can’t get ourselves unlost. And often we find ourselves in danger and don’t even know it!

But here’s something you don’t hear often. The value of the sheep is priceless to the Shepherd. They are valued for the clothing that can be made from their wool. They are valued for the food they produce. They are valued for sacrificial reasons. They are valued for the milk they produce.

How much more valuable are we to our Great Shepherd? Enough that He would come looking for us when we were lost. Enough that He has sent His Spirit to lead and guide us. Enough that He was willing to sacrifice His own life for our spiritual rebirth.

Once we have come to know Jesus as our Great Shepherd, He takes on another role. The Overseer of our souls. We see this Name of the Lord in 1 Peter 2:25 (NIV). “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

The word overseer can be described as supervisor, manager or administrator, but when overseer is connected to Jesus, it means more than that. Jesus is the Guardian of our souls. He is the Bishop of our souls. He is the Elder of our souls. These words evoke a deeper meaning to this Name of the Lord.

In the role of Overseer of our souls, Jesus is concerned about each of us and keeps an eye on the well-being of our soul. Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us so that we might be able to accomplish the things prepared for us to do. Jesus knows our hearts. He is watching us at all time. He is concerned about every detail of our lives.

When I dig into this Name of the Lord, I am mortified to think that Jesus knows my every thought. Sometimes my thoughts are not in line with God’s Word. But I also know that the kind Overseer of my soul is merciful and full of grace. As I come to see these imperfections in my life, it’s important for me to allow God’s Spirit to work in my life. With His help, I can rid my life of the pesky attitudes that don’t need to dwell in my heart.

I read last week that reading the Bible involves applying the Bible to your life, but that engaging God’s Word involves applying my life to the Bible! As I allow the Overseer of my soul to watch over and protect my soul, I must do my part. I must apply my life to the Bible. As I learn and apply what I find in Scripture, I am less dumb and less likely to be pulled astray by false teachers.

I am thankful for the Overseer of my soul. I’m in good hands. I pray that you are under His care as well. I pray that you are searching Scripture to find precious gems and that you will apply them to your life. I pray that your life has been transformed because you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior. I pray that you are allowing God’s Spirit to lead and guide you through the twists and turns of this life. I also pray that the Overseer of your soul is saying, “Well done.”

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna