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?”
