Key Verse
“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds.”
—Proverbs 27:23 (NKJV)
The Idea
What does shepherding have to do with us in the modern world? After all, most of us don’t spend our days tending sheep. Yet this verse from Proverbs speaks directly to anyone who bears responsibility for others—a parent, a mentor, a manager, or any form of leadership. Webster defines “diligent” as “characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort: painstaking.” This active, thoughtful attention is crucial if we want those in our care to thrive.
Sheep may literally need to be led to water and protected from predators, but people in our care often need an advocate who can ensure they have the basic resources for living, like adequate wages, shelter, and support. However, it’s not just about physical needs. If we want individuals to thrive, we must also consider their emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. That means building a culture where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow.
Why It Matters for You
Think about your sphere of influence. If you’re an employer, do you pay living wages that let your team care for themselves and their families? If you’re a mentor or parent, do you provide enough guidance and resources to help those you lead discover their potential? People often don’t even know what they want out of life; guiding them can be a painstaking process, just as the dictionary says. Yet when we commit to knowing the state of our flocks, we reflect the caring nature of authentic leadership.
Practical Steps to Diligent Shepherding
- Assess Needs Regularly
- Schedule consistent check-ins or conversations. Ask about challenges they face in and out of the workplace or home.
- Provide Resources
- This includes fair compensation, a safe environment, and growth opportunities—the tools they need to thrive physically, emotionally, and professionally.
- Encourage Holistic Growth
- Look beyond the basics of survival. Consider ways to foster personal development, such as mentorship programs, skill-building opportunities, or emotional support.
- Be Willing to Learn
- Stay open to feedback. Being a diligent shepherd means growing your leadership skills to better serve those who rely on you.
Challenge & Call to Action
Ask yourself: Who has been entrusted to me, and how well do I know their needs? Over the coming weeks, commit to one specific action that meets a tangible need of someone you lead. It could be offering additional training, adjusting schedules for work-life balance, or simply sitting down for a heartfelt conversation about their goals and challenges.
We’ll dive deeper in the coming weeks, exploring what it means to cultivate a healthy culture that genuinely sees and meets people’s needs. Remember, be diligent: steady, earnest, and energetic in guiding and caring for the “herds” entrusted to you.
Stay tuned for more in this Culture Series, where we’ll continue discovering practical ways to invest in the growth and well-being of those we lead.