God Doesn't Waste Time: A Lesson in Divine Patience and Purpose

In the relentless pursuit of purpose, it’s easy to fall prey to the illusion of wasted time. We meticulously plan, strategize, and execute, only to find ourselves in seasons of waiting, where progress seems stalled and frustration mounts. Todd Johns, co-founder of Revive Ministries, Inc., knows this feeling intimately. His journey of birthing Revive, an organization dedicated to addiction recovery and community transformation, offers a profound lesson in divine timing and the unwavering nature of God's purpose.

Todd and his wife, Casey, envisioned Revive long before its physical manifestation. What began as a seed of an idea during their time in Michigan, nurtured by exposure to Christian Community Development and marketplace ministry, slowly gestated over six years. “It’s kind of an interesting analogy when a male talks about pregnancy,” Todd muses, “but I think that’s the best way to describe it.” They initially believed this endeavor would be a “much later in life” pursuit, perhaps even a retirement project. Yet, God had other plans, affirming their vision year after year, growing it into a tangible calling.

The Journey of Vision and Waiting

After a divine nudge during a mission trip to Kenya, Todd and Casey found themselves in Kentucky, where the vision for Revive began to accelerate. Connections formed, resources aligned, and the dream started to take shape. “Once the birthing process begins, there’s no stopping it,” Todd explains, reflecting on the unstoppable momentum. Revive, now celebrating nearly a decade of impact, has become a flagship for addiction recovery, with a broader vision for youth development and community empowerment.

However, the path to fulfillment was not without its moments of intense doubt and perceived stagnation. Todd vividly recalls a particularly challenging period after securing the first location for Revive Lifehouse, their addiction treatment center. He had committed to going full-time with Revive in January 2015, but by late March, despite having everything in place – a board, volunteers, a location – they had yet to serve their first client. Resources were dwindling, and the pressure was immense.

From Frustration to Divine Clarity

“We’re just wasting time. We just keep wasting time,” Todd remembers thinking, the phrase echoing in his heart throughout that week. The frustration was palpable. Then came a seemingly ordinary day. Todd was dropping off his oldest daughter at ballet lessons. She was old enough to go in by herself, and he planned to wait in his truck. As he sat there, engaged in prayer and worship, his phone rang. It was a brief call, lasting only a few minutes. He hung up, and a few moments later, his truck door opened. His daughter was back already. “What are you doing?” he asked, surprised. “We’re done,” she replied.

In that unexpected, almost surreal moment, the Holy Spirit spoke to Todd with undeniable clarity: “I don’t waste time.” The entire sequence, from the phone call to his daughter’s return, felt like a mere 10 to 15 minutes. “I don’t know what happened during that time. I didn’t get caught up to the third heaven or anything,” he says with a chuckle, “but it was just this way in which the Lord used, I guess, the lapse of time, to really speak to me.” The very next week, Revive welcomed its first client.

Lessons for Kingdom Leaders

This powerful encounter solidified Todd’s faith and reassured him of God’s presence and purpose in their journey. For leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone striving to make a Kingdom impact, Todd offers a simple yet profound piece of advice: “Remain teachable, have humility as a leader, and never stop growing.” He emphasizes the importance of resting and abiding in God, recognizing that true fruit is born from that connection. In the challenging landscape of leadership, where insecurities and fears can surface, authenticity and a growth mindset are paramount.

• Embrace moments of waiting as opportunities for growth
• Practice humility and remain teachable
• Prioritize authenticity and connection with God
• Trust the process, even when the outcome isn’t visible

“The beauty of living out the Kingdom in the marketplace,” Todd concludes, “is that it’s forming and forging us… we’re also being shaped and molded if we will allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.”

Embracing Divine Purpose in the Waiting

Todd’s story is a powerful reminder that even in seasons of apparent delay, God is at work, orchestrating every detail. What may seem like wasted time in our limited human perspective is, in fact, an integral part of His perfect plan. Embrace the waiting, remain teachable, and trust that the Lord, who never wastes time, is faithfully bringing His vision to fruition through you.