Waiting, Welcoming, and Walking with God: Leadership in the Foot and a Half
listen to genesis 16-18
Reflection…
In Genesis 16–18, we witness a complex stretch in Abram and Sarai’s story—a season of waiting that tempts compromise, a God encounter that stirs laughter, and an invitation to lead with humble hospitality and bold intercession. These are chapters of deep head-and-heart tension, where the foot and a half is felt in every choice, every pause, and every promise.
When Waiting Feels Like Withholding (Genesis 16)
“The Lord has kept me from having children.” (16:2)
Sarai, tired of waiting, convinces Abram to take matters into their own hands by having a child through Hagar. Though culturally acceptable, it wasn’t what God had promised.
This is the temptation for every leader:
When the wait stretches too long, we reach for shortcuts.
The foot and a half here is the space between trusting God’s timing and acting on our own terms. Leadership grounded in faith waits—because waiting isn’t passive; it’s deeply courageous.
Still, God sees even the broken places. He meets Hagar in the wilderness and she names Him:
“El Roi – the God who sees me.” (16:13)
God’s grace meets us even when our leadership decisions fall short.
When God Shows Up at Your Door (Genesis 17–18:15)
In Genesis 17, God reaffirms His covenant with Abram—and gives him a new name.
“No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham… I will make you the father of many nations.” (17:5)
Sarai is also renamed Sarah, and the promise of a child is made clear—this time next year.
Abraham laughs. Later, Sarah laughs too. Not because they don’t believe—but because belief is hard when the body says otherwise.
That’s the foot and a half again—between the ridiculousness of the promise and the reality of faith.
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (18:14)
This is the question every leader must hold on to when dreams delay and outcomes feel impossible.
When Leadership Looks Like Hospitality (Genesis 18:1–8)
Abraham welcomes three strangers with honor and generosity—not knowing it is the Lord Himself. His response is quick, respectful, and over-the-top generous.
Leadership lesson?
Sometimes the most sacred moments come disguised as interruptions.
Great leaders learn to see the divine in the ordinary, to slow down, serve well, and listen deeply.
When Leaders Intercede Boldly (Genesis 18:16–33)
God invites Abraham into a private conversation about Sodom. Abraham steps into the role of intercessor—not pleading from fear, but from compassion:
“Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” (18:23)
He negotiates down from 50 to 10, showing the heart of a leader who believes in both God’s justice and mercy.
This is the foot and a half between courage and reverence—speaking boldly to God, but never forgetting who He is.
Leadership Lessons from Genesis 16–18
Beware of shortcuts: Impatience births Ishmaels. God’s plan is worth the wait.
Receive your new name: Identity is core to impact. God always calls leaders into a deeper name before a bigger assignment.
See hospitality as leadership: Greatness often shows up in how you welcome others.
Laugh, but don’t stop believing: Even your doubt can be part of your faith journey.
Intercede, don’t just observe: The best leaders don’t just watch—they stand in the gap.
Takeaway:
Genesis 16–18 shows that leadership isn’t about flawless performance—it’s about faithful presence. Whether you’re waiting, hosting, laughing, or interceding, God is drawing you deeper into the foot and a half between what you hope for and what He’s about to do.
Sometimes leadership is trusting when it seems foolish. Sometimes it’s serving when no one notices. And sometimes—it’s just sitting still long enough to hear God say, “Is anything too hard for Me?”
Go, Trust, Believe: Leading from the Foot and a Half
listen to genesis 12-15
Reflection on Genesis 12–15
Every great leader has a “Go” moment—the call to step into the unknown, leave comfort behind, and walk by faith. In Genesis 12–15, we meet Abram, who receives that call. But what unfolds is more than a story of obedience; it’s a journey of learning to lead from the foot and a half—that sacred space between what you know in your head and what you must believe in your heart.
Called Before Clarity (Genesis 12)
“Go from your country… to the land I will show you.” (12:1)
Abram’s leadership journey begins not with a map, but with a promise. God calls him to leave behind everything familiar and walk into the unknown. That’s the foot and a half in motion: leading before having all the answers.
Abram obeys, and God responds:
“I will make you into a great nation… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (12:2–3)
This isn’t just about personal blessing. It’s about impact, influence, and legacy—hallmarks of kingdom-minded leadership.
Failing While Following (Genesis 12:10–20)
Soon after stepping out in faith, Abram faces a famine and flees to Egypt. There, he lies about Sarai being his sister. Fear takes over faith.
Even great leaders falter. And yet, God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on Abram’s perfection. It’s a key leadership lesson:
You can fail and still be called.
You can mess up and still move forward—as long as your heart stays surrendered.
Choosing Peace Over Power (Genesis 13)
When Abram and Lot’s flocks grow too large to share the land, conflict arises. Abram could’ve asserted authority, but instead, he lets Lot choose first.
“Let’s not have quarreling… If you go left, I’ll go right.” (13:8–9)
This is mature leadership—choosing peace over position, humility over control. The foot and a half here is letting go of what you think you deserve to make space for God to provide.
And He does. After Lot leaves, God tells Abram:
“Lift up your eyes… all the land that you see I will give to you.” (13:14–15)
When you choose integrity, God expands your vision.
Fighting with Honor, Giving with Grace (Genesis 14)
Abram rescues Lot from captivity and defeats powerful kings—but refuses to take any reward. He gives glory to God and honors Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High, with a tithe.
“I have raised my hand to the Lord… I will accept nothing.” (14:22–23)
This is values-based leadership. Abram knows who he serves and won’t let wealth or politics cloud his calling. That’s leadership with both head conviction and heart allegiance.
Promise Over Proof (Genesis 15)
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (15:1)
Abram wants a son, an heir—but God gives a deeper promise. He invites Abram to believe beyond what he can see:
“Look up at the sky and count the stars… So shall your offspring be.” (15:5)
Then comes the turning point:
“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (15:6)
That’s the essence of leadership in the foot and a half—believing the promise even when the evidence hasn’t arrived.
Leadership Lessons from Genesis 12–15
Step into the unknown: God doesn’t give maps—He gives mission.
Fall forward: Faithful leaders sometimes fail, but they always return to trust.
Lead with peace and integrity: Let your heart stay soft, even when your position is strong.
Refuse to be bought: Don’t trade influence for applause.
Believe before you see: Faith is the fuel of every lasting legacy.
Takeaway:
Genesis 12–15 shows that leadership begins with a “yes,” grows through mistakes, and matures through trust. The foot and a half is the space Abram walked every day—between what God promised and what hadn’t yet happened. And that’s exactly where the greatest leaders are formed.
From Control to Surrender: The Foot and a Half of Restored Leadership
listen to job 40-42
Reflection on Job 40–42
After loss, debate, silence, and storm, we finally arrive at Job’s moment of clarity. In Job 40–42, God finishes speaking—and Job finally sees not just the world differently, but himself. His leadership journey has taken him across the vast foot and a half between self-assured righteousness and humble surrender.
This final movement reminds us that great leadership is not about having power or answers—it’s about knowing your place in God’s story.
God’s Second Response (Job 40–41)
“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?” (40:2)
“Look at Behemoth… he ranks first among the works of God.” (40:15, 19)
God continues with a thunderous voice, now describing two massive, untamable creatures—Behemoth and Leviathan—as symbols of the power and mystery of creation. The message is clear: If you can’t manage these beasts, how can you question the Creator who formed them?
Leadership takeaway?
You are not the author. You’re a steward.
God isn’t looking for leaders who explain everything—but for those who trust Him with everything.
Job’s Turning Point (Job 42:1–6)
Then comes one of the most profound responses in Scripture:
“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
“Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (42:3, 5–6)
Job doesn’t repent for sin that caused his suffering—he repents for presuming to stand in God's place. His leadership becomes right-sized. He moves from the head knowledge of God’s justice to the heart transformation of seeing God’s goodness up close.
That’s the foot and a half.
Restoration Comes — But That’s Not the Point (Job 42:7–17)
God rebukes Job’s friends, affirming that Job spoke rightly—not because he had all the answers, but because he brought honest questions without hypocrisy. And then, in a beautiful reversal:
Job prays for his friends (v. 10)
His fortunes are restored (v. 10)
His influence and family are renewed (v. 11–17)
But here’s the key: restoration isn’t the reward for getting it right. It’s a gift after surrender. Job’s leadership is never the same—not because he’s richer, but because he’s smaller in the best way. More dependent. More humble. More aligned with God's heart.
Leadership Lessons from Job 40–42
Let God have the last word: True leadership listens more than it speaks—especially to God.
Repentance is not weakness: It’s the path to clarity, character, and restoration.
Pray for those who failed you: Job’s leadership shines brightest when he intercedes for the very friends who wounded him.
Lead from surrender, not certainty: Restoration begins where control ends.
Takeaway:
Job 40–42 closes with a hard-won truth: Leadership is refined not just by what you survive—but by how you surrender.
The foot and a half between head and heart is bridged by awe, repentance, and trust. That’s where true leadership is born—on your knees, not on your throne.
When God Speaks: Wonder, Leadership, and the Foot and a Half of Humility
listen to job 38-39
Reflection…
After 37 chapters of loss, lament, and loud opinions, God finally answers Job. But instead of offering an explanation, He gives something deeper: a perspective shift. In Job 38–39, God speaks out of the storm—not with a defense, but with a series of questions that lift Job's eyes and humble his heart.
This moment reframes everything. It also reminds us that the foot and a half between what we think we understand and what God actually sees is sacred ground for every leader.
“Where Were You?”
God’s first words hit hard:
“Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” (38:2)
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (38:4)
God doesn’t belittle Job. He re-centers him.
He walks Job through the mystery and majesty of creation — the oceans, the stars, the weather, the animals — all things Job can observe but not control.
This is divine leadership in action: not asserting authority to crush, but to elevate perspective.
Awe > Answers
God doesn’t explain the “why” of Job’s suffering. He doesn’t have to. Instead, He reveals the who — Himself.
“Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?” (38:35)
“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?” (39:1)
These questions shift Job (and us) from demanding control to resting in wonder.
In leadership, we often want clarity and certainty. But sometimes, the most powerful leadership move is to embrace mystery, to lead not with all the answers but with humility and awe.
Leadership Lessons from Job 38–39
Let God re-center you: When leadership becomes too heavy, it's often because we're carrying things only God can handle.
Awe restores alignment: Before we take the next step, we need to remember who truly runs the universe.
Perspective is power: God didn’t change Job’s circumstances—He changed Job’s perspective.
Lead with wonder, not just wisdom: People don’t always need your answers. Sometimes, they need your reverence.
Takeaway:
In Job 38–39, we see that the foot and a half between control and surrender, head and heart, is where God reveals Himself most deeply. As leaders, we don’t lead because we know everything — we lead best when we remember the One who does.
God speaks not to crush Job, but to rebuild him with awe. That’s the kind of leadership that stands the test of storms.
The Storm Is Coming: Awe, Arrogance, and the Foot and a Half
listen to job 35-37
Reflection…
As Elihu closes his speech, we feel the pressure shift. A storm is building on the horizon—both literally and spiritually. And in the middle of Job’s pain, Elihu does something many leaders struggle to do: he points away from himself and toward God.
These chapters mark a transition from debate to divine encounter. But first, we must walk the foot and a half between our own understanding and the majesty of God’s ways.
When We Lose Perspective (Job 35)
Elihu addresses something Job has said in frustration—that righteousness seems to bring no reward. Elihu challenges this, not by attacking Job personally, but by pointing upward:
“Look at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you.” (35:5)
He reminds Job that God is not indifferent—He is higher. Bigger. Beyond.
Here’s a critical leadership principle:
Perspective is everything. When we get stuck in our own experience, we lose sight of the bigger picture. The foot and a half gap here is between what we feel is happening and what God is actually doing behind the scenes.
When We Need to Remember Who’s in Charge (Job 36)
Elihu begins to describe the character and power of God:
“God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty, and firm in His purpose.” (36:5)
“He delivers the afflicted by their affliction.” (36:15)
This is a leadership reality: God doesn’t waste suffering. He teaches through it. Grows us in it. Leads us with it. The very thing we wish would stop may be the tool God is using to shape us into the kind of people who can lead with integrity and wisdom.
But Elihu doesn’t stop with theology—he begins pointing to the sky, where storm clouds gather.
When Awe Restores Alignment (Job 37)
Elihu’s voice rises as thunder approaches. His tone shifts from teaching to trembling:
“Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice… He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven.” (37:2-3)
“The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.” (37:23)
This is the climax of Elihu’s speech—and it’s not about Job. It’s about God.
Sometimes the best leadership move is to get out of the way and let people encounter God’s presence for themselves. Awe is often a better teacher than argument.
Leadership Lessons from Job 35–37
Perspective humbles pride: Look up before you speak out.
Don’t waste the waiting: Affliction may be the classroom of the soul.
Point others to awe, not answers: Leadership is about revealing God, not replacing Him.
Let the storm speak: Sometimes God’s power shows up not in explanation, but in presence.
Takeaway: As Elihu wraps up, he reminds us that the foot and a half isn’t just the space between head and heart—it’s also the space between us and God. Leadership happens best when we stop pretending to control the storm, and instead invite others to stand in awe of the One who does.