The Strength of an Intentional Shepherd: Leading Through Christ’s Power

God’s Promise:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Reflection:

Men, we’ve all heard the saying, “You reap what you sow.” As men of the shepherd, this isn’t just a motto—it’s a call to live out our faith daily, leading our families with Christ’s strength.

Let me be real for a second. As men, we often carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, thinking we need to be the strongest, the smartest, and the most capable. But the truth is, we’re human—flawed and living in a broken, sinful world. We are weak. Sin clings to us like mud, and no matter how hard we try to scrub it off, we’re still in the mess. Our strength isn’t enough, and that’s okay.

I’ll admit, there were times I thought I could handle everything on my own. I was like a stubborn child, trying to prove I didn’t need help, that I was strong enough. But eventually, I found myself running out of steam, staring at the impossible, and finally whispering, “I need Your help, Lord.”

We’re constantly bombarded with messages from the world—from social media, from the news—tuned into WIIFM, “What’s in it for me?” But as intentional shepherds of our homes, we have to change the station and tune into God’s Word, which is our sword, our true source of strength. No sword, no strength. (mic drop).

The moment we realize that our strength is limited and finite is the moment we begin to understand the power of Jesus in our lives. It’s when we become the broken bread and the poured-out wine, just like Jesus did for us. In our brokenness, His strength shines through. That’s the beauty of being a man of the shepherd—we don’t lead from a place of pride or self-reliance, but from a heart humbled before God.

I’ve seen it in my own life. When I tried to lead my family with my own wisdom, I fell short. But when I surrendered my weaknesses to God, He lifted me up. He gave me the strength to stand tall as a Christian husband, father, and son of God. And the fruit of that? Peace, joy, love, and a home centered on Christ.

Brothers, God calls us by name. He knows our struggles, our failures, and our weaknesses. Yet, He equips us with His strength to shepherd our families well. So, let’s pick up our swords, lead with humility, and sow seeds of faith in our homes. The harvest will be rich.

Shepherding in Action: Today’s Value:

Humility strengthens our leadership when we admit our weakness and rely on Christ’s power.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what areas of your life are you trying to lead with your own strength instead of relying on Christ?
2. How can you model humility and dependence on God for your family today?
3. What Scriptures can you lean on when you feel weak?

My Personal Journey:

These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other men of the shepherd in building Christ-centered homes, leading and discipling like Jesus. To follow along with the weekday readings, check out our Weekday Reflections Playlist on YouTube or click here to subscribe to the YouTube channel.

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