The Night I Almost Launched Too Early

The Night I Almost Launched Too Early : Week 3 Nehemiah Blog Post

When I first sensed God calling me to plant Frontier Church, I was ready. I had the vision, the passion, the urgency. I wanted to gather a launch team immediately, start services within months,
and hit the ground running.

But God kept whispering: Wait. Look. Listen.

I'll be honest—waiting felt like disobedience. Shouldn't faith move quickly? Doesn't urgency equal obedience?

During this time, I was studying Acts and the book of Nehemiah. When I got to Nehemiah 2, and everything shifted.

The Leader Who Took His Time

Nehemiah had every reason to rush. He'd just traveled 800 miles. He had the king's blessing, resources, and protection. The people were desperate for leadership. But when he arrived in Jerusalem, he did something unexpected: he waited three days, then inspected the damage secretly at night.

No press conference. No rallying speech. Just quiet observation.

Why? Because wise leaders assess the situation before mobilizing the people.

Nehemiah rode through the rubble-filled streets examining every broken gate, every collapsed wall. The damage was worse than he imagined—so bad his donkey couldn't even get through the
debris at Jackal Well. And he did this privately, without fanfare, before telling anyone his plan.

Facing What's Broken

Here's what hit me: You can't fix what you won't face.

Before I could cast vision for Frontier Church, I needed to honestly assess the spiritual landscape of our community. I needed to understand Walsh Ranch, Morningstar, West Fort Worth and
Parker County as a whole—not just demographically, but spiritually. What were people's real needs? Their real objections to church? Their actual questions about God?

I also had to inspect my own life. What "walls" were broken in me? Where was I trying to build from a place of ego rather than calling? What weaknesses needed shoring up before I could lead
others?

A doctor can't treat what he won't diagnose. Neither can a leader.

The Power of Patient Preparation

After his inspection, Nehemiah finally went public. And when he did, his vision was clear, compelling, and complete. He said: "You see the trouble we're in. Come, let us rebuild the wall
of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."

• Honest about the problem
• Clear about the solution
• Focused on the why (identity and dignity)
• Backed by testimony of God's faithfulness
  

The people's response? "Let us start rebuilding!" Immediate buy-in. Why? Because the vision was rooted in reality, not fantasy.

That's what happens when you inspect before you build.

Critics Don't Get a Vote

Of course, the mockers showed up immediately. Sanballat, Tobiah, and now a new guy—Geshem—ridiculed the work before it even started.

Nehemiah's response? "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding. But as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem."

Translation: You don't get a vote. We're building anyway.

For Frontier Church, this has been crucial. Not everyone celebrates what God's doing. Some think we're too small, too ambitious, too new. But our calling doesn't require their approval—it requires God's.

So Here's My Challenge

What needs inspecting in your life right now? What broken walls are you avoiding? What damage needs an honest assessment before you can rebuild?

Maybe it's a relationship. Maybe it's your finances. Maybe it's your faith itself.

Don't rush. Pause. Assess. Face reality. Then build.

Because the God of heaven will give us success—not because we're fast, but because we're faithful.

Let's go.
Pastor Travis

Discussion Questions

1. Where are you most tempted to rush instead of assess? What would "inspecting the damage" look like in that area of your life?
2. What broken "walls" have you been avoiding? What would it take for you to honestly
face that reality this week?
3. Nehemiah's vision included four elements: identifying the problem, casting the vision, explaining the why, and sharing God's faithfulness. Which of these is hardest for you when trying to mobilize others?
4. Who are the "critics" in your life? How can you respond like
Nehemiah—acknowledging them without giving them a vote?
5. What's one area where God might be asking you to wait, observe, and prepare before taking action? How will you practice patient obedience this week?

Blessings,

Dr. Travis Young