Leading Without Rushing: A Shepherd’s Call to Wait

You Can’t Rush God’s Vision

You ever get ahead of yourself? You think you know exactly what God wants, so you charge ahead—only to realize you left Him behind? I’ve been there. It’s humbling. It’s frustrating. And it’s a lesson every man of God has to learn.

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God’s Promise
Habakkuk 2:3 – For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Years ago, I thought I had my calling all figured out. I was sure God had called me to missions in Thailand. I was convinced. I researched missionaries, bought books, even planned to sell my house. I was all in—except, I wasn’t actually following God. I was following my own excitement, my own urgency. And in doing so, I rushed ahead without waiting on Him.

It took some time before I realized my mistake. I had lost money, lost time, and worst of all, lost touch with God in my hurry to fulfill what I thought was His vision for me. I grieved the Holy Spirit by letting my pride take the lead instead of trusting in God’s timing. It was a hard pill to swallow, but one I needed.

The same applies to shepherding our families. We look ahead and wonder—what will my kids be like in 20 years? What kind of husband will I be in the years to come? Will I raise godly children? The truth is, we don’t always know. And that’s okay. Our job is to faithfully lead, not to control the outcome. We aren’t meant to rush the process.

Paul had a vision from God (Acts 26:19), but he didn’t sprint off without preparation. He remained faithful, trusting in God’s appointed time. Likewise, Abraham was promised to be the father of many nations, but when he tried to speed things up through Hagar instead of waiting for Isaac, things got messy (Genesis 16). Rushing the vision only leads to confusion, regret, and, often, unnecessary pain.

As shepherds, we set the tone for our families. They watch how we wait on God. They see if we trust Him or if we take matters into our own hands. And years down the road, our patience—or lack of it—will be reflected in them. That’s why we must lead by faith, trusting in God’s timing, not ours.

If you’ve rushed ahead before, like I did, don’t let guilt hold you down. Seek God’s forgiveness. Learn from it. And commit to walking at His pace. His vision has its appointed time. We just have to trust Him enough to wait.

Today’s Shepherding in Action Value: Patience
A shepherd leader waits on God’s timing, knowing that faithfulness today prepares us for the vision’s fulfillment tomorrow.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever rushed into something you thought was from God, only to realize you were moving ahead of Him? What did you learn from it?
2. In what ways can you demonstrate patience as a shepherd leader in your family today?
3. How can you remind yourself daily to trust in God’s timing instead of forcing your own plans?

Bible References:

• Habakkuk 2:3
• Acts 26:19
• Genesis 16
• Proverbs 3:5-6

Prayer for the Man of the Shepherd:
Father, help me to trust Your timing. I know You have a plan, and I don’t want to rush ahead of You. Teach me patience as I lead my family, and let my faithfulness be a witness to those watching. May I walk in step with You and shepherd with wisdom and grace. Amen.

My Personal Journey:
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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Patience