The Heart of a Shepherd: A Man’s Call To Serve

God’s Promise:
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” — Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV)

Called to Lead: A Servant’s Heart Shaped by Grace

Men, we are called to be servant leaders. But this calling doesn’t start with us—it begins with the sovereign grace of God. We don’t earn His favor, nor do we initiate the work of salvation. It’s God who seeks us first, reveals Himself to us, and transforms our hearts through His grace. Our role? To respond with love, faith, and obedience, reflecting Christ in all we do.

For a long time, I understood—at least intellectually—that I was worthy of God’s love. I could quote Scripture, recite truths, and teach about His grace. But deep down, in the core of my heart and soul, I didn’t know it. Not in the way the Greek word “gnōsis” implies—a knowledge that is intimate, transformative, and rooted in experience.

It wasn’t until I grasped this kind of “knowing” that everything changed. This realization sparked a burning desire in me to know Him more every day. Daily reflections, Bible study, and even these articles for The Harvest Field are not just routines or tasks; they are evidence of God working in me. They are living proof of His grace shaping my heart and guiding my steps.

With that “knowing” comes a humbling truth: “Every day, in every way, I must empty myself more and more of myself so He can fill me with His Sovereign Grace.” This echoes John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It’s a daily surrender, a conscious effort to lay down my pride, my plans, and my self-reliance so that Christ can reign fully in me.

As men, our good works in our families, communities, and churches are not a means to earn God’s love. They are a reflection of our love for Him, a representation of His Spirit working within us. We are called to lead not with authority rooted in ourselves, but with a heart that beats in rhythm with the grace we’ve received.

So, brothers, let’s embrace our calling as servant leaders. Let our lives be living testimonies of God’s sovereign grace, responding daily with faith, obedience, and a deep desire to know Him more.

Today’s Value:

Humility: True servant leadership flows from a heart humbled by God’s grace, not puffed up by personal achievement.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways can I empty myself daily to allow Christ’s grace to fill and guide me?
2. How does my leadership within my family reflect the humility and servant-heartedness of Christ?
3. What practical steps can I take today to shepherd my family with love and grace, rooted in God’s Word?

Bible References:

• Ezekiel 36:26
• John 3:30
• Romans 8:29
• 2 Peter 1:3-11

#fatherhood #servantleadership #FaithfulShepherds #ChristCenteredHome #menoftheshepherd #TheHarvestField