Shepherds after God's own heart

And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:12 (ESV)

I am preaching a series of messages during our mid-week services based on the confessions of Jeremiah. I love the give and take of these confessions. Jeremiah had what Dallas Willard calls, "a conversational relationship with God." During the Divine - mortal dialogues we see God conforming Jeremiah to the pattern of His heart. In the second confession (15:10-21) we see three traits emerge that are essential for servant-leaders in any era.

1. The Shepherd's identity and purpose were in God. (15:16)

2. The Shepherd ate God's word. (15:16)

3. The Shepherd was willing to sit alone. (15:17)

Have you seen the need for these traits in your life and ministry? Are they formed in hardship? What do you think?