---
title: "The Fallow Restless Servant"
type: "post"
post_id: "1049"
slug: "the-fallow-restless-servant"
canonical: "https://leader-as-servant.com/2026/04/03/the-fallow-restless-servant/"
markdown_url: "https://leader-as-servant.com/2026/04/03/the-fallow-restless-servant.md"
json_url: "https://leader-as-servant.com/2026/04/03/the-fallow-restless-servant.json"
txt_url: "https://leader-as-servant.com/2026/04/03/the-fallow-restless-servant.txt"
published: "2026-04-03T16:56:30+00:00"
modified: "2026-04-03T16:57:01+00:00"
author: "Dave Shoff"
categories:
  - "Personal"
  - "Philosophy"
  - "Servant-Leader"
tags:
site_name: "Leader As Servant"
publisher: ""
language: "en-US"
generator: "easyPress Markdown"
generator_version: "1.0.6"
---
![](https://leader-as-servant.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/crack-soil-dry-1586981064pgE-1024x768.jpg)Dry, unplowed, infertile ground.

This is what I was facing, shortly after removal from Bosch. A slow death, punctuated by a race that could never be won, chasing after the next job, praying prayers that just bounced back, rejection after rejection.

God’s plan was clear on one thing:

> …“Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns. ‘
> 
> [Jeremiah 4:3b](https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JER.4.3.NIV) NIV

[The Impostor](https://leader-as-servant.com/2026/01/27/the-impostor-how-others-first-leadership-replaced-servant-leadership/) came from this moment, as God asked for a point of obedience, a sign belonging to a new approach. Removing the relational adultery that permeated needed a relational healing, one that no amount of my effort could engender. Only surrender and repentance would do.

Naked, ashamed, embarrassed; the fig leaf of my own effort stripped from covering what I deemed essential. The emotional register of releasing and abiding, crusty with age, still sitting and patiently waiting for me to come closer. The Spirit revealing, encouraging, drawing, transforming. Emerging from a cocoon of my own pride into the grace of being known and loved.

Walls speaking to me – the recipe for life:

![Wall in Tixkokob
Master Recipe
3 kg of love
2 kg of hugs
1 kg of patience
2 liters of smiles
1 pinch of madness
Add many kisses
Mix it all with affection
Serve every day.](https://leader-as-servant.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_0351-768x1024.jpeg)Birthed beyond obedience is a vision, one for servant leaders, and one that encompasses building people by serving them in ways ancient and modern. But, God’s blessing is only given in this boundary of obedience.