When Jesus was summoned to the centurion’s house to heal his servant, Luke 7 tells us that Jesus “started on His way with them.” As He approached, the centurion sent friends to tell Him not to “trouble” Himself but instead to simply say the word, believing that his servant would be healed.
Reading this passage recently made me reflect on how Jesus lived His earthly life. He was here for only about 33 years, and His public ministry lasted just three. Yet, He never seemed to be in a hurry. If He had the power to heal with just a word, why didn’t He simply speak and heal everyone at once? Why did He take the time to travel, to engage, and to meet people where they were?
Perhaps the answer lies in the importance of relationships. Jesus didn’t rush from one miracle to the next or from one meal to another feeding. He moved with intentionality. As God, He holds all of eternity in His hands—there was no need for urgency.
This challenges me in my own ministry. It’s easy to feel pressured to rush from task to task because the world moves so fast. But God’s work often moves slowly. He calls us to be patient and present. Consider how Jesus delayed going to Lazarus in John 11:6, fully trusting in God’s timing. Or how He encouraged His disciples to step away and rest in Mark 6:31. God operates in seasons, and we are reminded in Galatians 6:9 not to grow weary, for in due time we will reap a great harvest.
If we move too quickly, we risk missing the deep, meaningful connections that ministry requires. Relationships take time to build, and love must be cultivated through trust. If we don’t pace ourselves, we may burn out. Some of the most powerful, transformative moments in ministry happen in the quiet, unplanned spaces when we slow down enough to truly see and hear the people around us.
We can’t do it all. And we don’t have to. God works through us. Ministry is about faithfulness, not speed. Sustainable growth is slow growth. So let’s embrace the pace, trust in God’s timing, and give Him the glory.
In Christ alone,
Alex Mills