Surprised By Jesus

Real strength in a man is childlike faith—the kind that lets go and finds wonder.

You think you’re in control, but that’s the lie. This life was never yours to manage. It’s God’s story, and you’re just now waking up to it. In today’s devotional, we’re calling men to stop chasing control and start chasing Jesus. Real leadership starts with childlike faith.

Matthew 18:3 (NIV) “And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Men, life will never go exactly as planned. And that’s a gift.

You weren’t made to map out every detail. You were made to wake up, eyes wide open, heart ready, and say, “Father, lead me today.” That’s what childlike faith looks like. Not weakness. Not naivety. But a wild, raw trust in a God who is always good, always present, and always full of surprises.

Here’s the truth: the longer you hold tight to your plans, your beliefs about how life should go, the more you miss the wonder of how God is already moving. Men, let’s be honest. Most of us are more focused on believing in our beliefs than we are in trusting God Himself. And that’s a problem. Because it puts the spotlight back on us, not on Him.

But Jesus didn’t tell us to believe in our theology. He told us to believe in Him. To change, and become like children.

That means curiosity. That means surrender. That means waking up without a checklist, without a demand, and just saying, “I’m ready, Lord. Whatever You want.”

I’ll be honest. I didn’t always live like that. I used to hold tight to what I thought I knew. I needed everything to make sense. I needed certainty, clarity, proof. But what I learned—sometimes the hard way—was that the more I tried to control my walk with God, the more I stifled it.

Because God doesn’t operate on our logic. He operates on love.

When I finally let go—not just once, but every single day—I started seeing it. The little moments. The unexpected blessings. The people who crossed my path and spoke just what I needed to hear. The doors that opened when I was ready to give up. That’s Jesus.

And He still does it. He still surprises me. Every day.

But only when I make room for Him to do it.

So here’s the call, brother: Stop clinging to your plan. Stop building your family life, your fatherhood, your leadership on your own strength. That’s shaky ground.

Start building it on trust. On joy. On wonder.

Wake up like a son who knows his Father is good. Walk like a man who knows his next step isn’t his to decide. Live like a leader who knows he’s really just a follower of Jesus.

And yes, it’s uncertain. That’s the point.

God doesn’t want men who rely on their own wisdom. He wants men who throw up their hands and say, “I trust You, Lord. Surprise me today.”

That’s how we become bold, unwavering servant leaders.

Not by having all the answers. But by following the One who does.

It’s time we stop seeing uncertainty as weakness. It’s actually the strongest place a man can stand. Because it means we’re not relying on ourselves.

We’re relying on Him.

So tomorrow morning, when you roll out of bed, don’t grab your schedule. Don’t run to your list.

Start with this: “Father, what do You have for me today?”

And then walk into the day like a child walks with his dad.

Expectant.

Joyful.

Surprised.

Today’s “Shepherding in Action” Value is Wonder.
When you lead your family with a sense of wonder in God, you help them see Him not as an idea to manage, but as a Father to trust.

Reflect / Apply / Share

1. Reflect – Where have I let fear or control steal the joy of trusting God?
2. Apply – What’s one area I can release today, choosing childlike faith over adult-sized anxiety?
3. Share – Who in my life needs to see me living with more wonder and less control?

Bible References (NIV)

Matthew 18:3 — “And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Personal Prayer

Father, help me let go of control. I want to follow You today with childlike trust, ready for whatever You have planned.

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.
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