Ready! Willing! Able!

You say you follow Jesus—but are you ready when He calls?

Too many Christian men say they’re willing to lead their homes, but when it comes time to step up, they’re sitting on the sidelines. This devotional challenges men to lead boldly, surrender fully, and obey completely. If you’re tired of coasting and ready to live as a man of God, it’s time to get real about Christian manhood.

God’s Word for Today

Colossians 3:23 (ESV) — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

There was a time I was unemployed. Many years go, back in the 1980s and 90’s. If you’ve ever been there, you know the drill—waiting in lines, filling out forms, answering the same questions over and over, week by week. One question stuck with me: “Are you ready, willing, and able to work?” Back then, it felt routine. Now? With technology, it’s different.

But when it comes to following Jesus, the same question applies.
Are you ready, willing, and able?\

Ready to lead your family? Ready to say no to passive faith? Ready to obey when the assignment isn’t glamorous? It’s easy to say yes when the road is smooth. But what about when God asks you to serve in the quiet, in the hard, or in the unseen?

The truth is, most of us think we’re ready. We pray, we go to church, maybe we even crack open the Bible now and then. But when Jesus calls us out of comfort zone and into real obedience, we flinch. We stall. We ask for another sign.

That was me. Years ago, I believed I had a relationship with God. And I did—but not like now. Back then, it was surface-level, like a handshake. Now, it’s more like a fire that won’t quit burning. I see how much deeper the relationship can go, and I’m starting to understand that God’s not grading our surrender on a curve. He looks at the desire of our hearts. Do we want Him more than we want our plans?

That desire—that fire—is what He honors. It’s not about getting it all right; it’s about giving Him all of us.

Take a look at surrender.
Surrender isn’t a checkbox. It’s a battle. Every man reading this knows what I mean. We surrender our time, then take it back. We surrender control, then snatch it up again. We say, “Jesus, have it all,” but we hide parts we’re not ready to let go of.

Obedience? That’s the hardest part. Not because it’s complicated—but because it costs us our pride. God opens a door, and instead of walking through it, we argue. Or we stall. Or we try to improve His plan with our input. We pray for clarity, He gives us silence, and we panic.

You ever feel like you need to be doing something instead of sitting still in His presence? Yeah. Me too. Every day.

But here’s what I’m learning: God isn’t checking boxes. He’s searching hearts. He wants men who desire to be obedient, even if we stumble while trying. If we want to walk in relationship, if we want to surrender, if we want to obey—He will show us the way.

So I’ll ask it again: are you ready, willing, and able?

Not ready to impress. Not willing to fake it. Not able in your own strength.

But ready to follow. Willing to surrender. Able because Jesus makes you able.

It’s not about doing great things. It’s about doing the next right thing. It’s about faithfulness in the small, the quiet, the uncomfortable. Are you leading your wife with prayer and truth? Are you raising your kids to know Jesus by how you live, not just what you say? Are you working like it’s for the Lord, even when no one notices?

This is manhood. This is shepherd leadership. This is Christian obedience.

Men, this world doesn’t need more nice guys. It needs men of God—men who are battle-ready. Men who serve their families like Jesus served us: with humility, strength, and truth. Men who step up, not show off. Men who reject passivity and stand firm in their calling.

Don’t wait for perfect. Don’t wait for applause. Don’t wait for comfort.

Be ready now. Be willing now. Be obedient now.

That’s what God honors. That’s what your family needs. That’s who you were made to be.

So I as you again, are you Ready, Willing and Able to be in a relationship with Jesus, surrender to Him, and be obedient to His call as a man of the shepherd?

Today’s “Shepherding in Action” Value

Readiness — A true shepherd leader doesn’t wait for the spotlight; he shows up, steps in, and stays alert to God’s call, wherever it comes.

Reflect / Apply / Share

1. Reflect — Where in your life have you been delaying obedience, even though you know what God is asking?
2. Apply — What one area of your home life can you surrender to Jesus today—your time, attitude, priorities, or leadership?
3. Share — Who in your circle needs to hear this challenge to be ready, willing, and able? How can you call them up, not just out?

Bible References (ESV)

Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

Personal Prayer

Father, help me to be ready when You call, willing when it costs me, and obedient even when it’s hard. I want to lead my home like You lead me—with truth, strength, and love.

My Personal Journey & Engagement Call
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, discipling, and serving like Jesus.
If these reflections encourage you, please like, share, and pass them on so more men can grow in their calling.
To follow along with the weekday readings, check out our Weekday Reflections Playlist on YouTube or subscribe to the YouTube channel here.

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