Integrity & Skills

Psalms 78:70-72 describe King David's callings to be Israelites' king.

His twin shepherding tools are Integrities of heart and skillful hands.

The present day theological trainings usually emphasize three areas: knowledge,life and skills.

It's wonderful here in David's reminders that he did not mention knowledge but instead integrity of heart which is a person's inner life and handful skills.

Life and skills are what a pastoral worker mostly needs.

Firm innerly but smooth outwardly. What we Chinese mean being square inside but be a circle outside.外圓內方. When treating people we have to be mild and smooth like a circle but can be firm and stick to our principles inside.

I know for the past years I was just not up to the expectation,being stern outside and firm inside too. We need humility and kindness from the Lord to be at ease with people most of the time . We also need to be stern in our Christian principles to stand firm for the Lord and the bible.

Lord ! Help me to be gentle in handling with people in their mistakes.
Lord ! Help me to be kind to those who fails in our expectations.
Lord ! Help all of your servants to be smooth outside but square inside to be your faithful ambassadors.