Hey Everyone,
Today, I’d like to share a lesson in vision and the discipline of waiting. Often, the work of transformation requires us to look past the wild and the unformed to see the promise of what is to come.
1 Story of Impact
In May 2022, I stepped onto the island of Abaco for the first time. The air was thick with humidity and the lingering scent of salt and decay from Hurricane Dorian. Within 48 hours, I turned to my traveling companions and said, “Let’s pack up and go home. There isn’t anything here for us.”
I couldn’t see past the wreckage and overwhelming lack of infrastructure. My eyes were fixed on the brokenness rather than on the potential for Love in Action. But God moved. He invited me to stay, to be where my feet were planted, and to listen for the still, small voice.
Because we stayed then, we are able to build now.
Last week, I stood on a patch of raw land that we pray will become our permanent Many Hands campus in Abaco for decades to come. As I walked the perimeter, the “wild” was everywhere. Thick, stubborn brush scraped against my legs. The sun beat down, and the ground was uneven, hidden by overgrowth and limestone. On that first visit, I felt the familiar 2022 tug of uncertainty. It was unformed and daunting.
But we didn’t leave. By the second visit, the layout began to speak. By the third, standing shoulder to shoulder with our team, I was genuinely excited.
Raw land is hard to evaluate. It requires a learned skill to see potential where others only see a jungle. I’ve learned that our emotions can be liars. They react to the heat, the fatigue, or even a bad lunch. That is why major Kingdom decisions cannot be made on feelings alone.
Time is your friend. Consistently showing up reveals truth. I often teach our leaders about the “Power of Three.” One confirmation might be a coincidence. Two is worth paying attention to. But three? Three is a confirmation that it’s time to take the next step. We are transforming together, and that requires a patience that outlasts our initial impulses.
3 Points to Ponder
- Filter the Feeling. Emotions are indicators, not dictators. They tell us how we are reacting, but not always what is true. What gut feeling are you currently following that might actually just be a temporary reaction to stress or fatigue?
- The Discipline of Whitespace. Seeing potential in “raw land” – those unfinished projects, a struggling business, or a person you aren’t seeing eye-to-eye with – requires quiet and time. If we don’t create space to listen, we miss the blueprint God is drawing. Where in your life do you need to stop doing, so you can actually start seeing the potential around you?
- The Power of Three. God often speaks through repetition and alignment. Seeking three distinct confirmations helps us move from impulsive reacting to faithful acting. Is there a decision you’ve been rushing that would benefit from the friendship of time and the search for further confirmation?
2 Quotes to Share
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” — Leo Tolstoy
“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” — Psalm 37:5
The “Power of Three” helps us distinguish between a momentary impulse and a divinely directed movement. The miracle isn’t just in the destination or the final campus buildings; it’s in the clarity that comes when we stop rushing and start listening.
What area of your life or leadership feels like “raw land” right now, and how might the gift of time reveal the beauty God is already preparing there?
Feel free to reply and share—I read every response.
Live with impact,
Tim
