Purpose Principle #3: Purpose Has a Pace
Learning to Move with God's Timing
God rarely moves on our schedule. Sometimes He feels slow; other times He moves so fast it takes your breath away. Either way, His timing always reveals whether we truly trust Him.
Learning to discern His pace is one of the key steps to walking out your purpose.
A Peak into My Journey
2020
During my sabbatical in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Lord gave me the name The Prototype Woman. It wasn’t just a catchy phrase; it was an answer to one of my deepest questions: “How do I become the woman I was called to be?”
2021
My pastor told me I’d have some kind of blog for women. At the time, I was frustrated. I hadn’t found a job, the Lord had said no to business for that season, and I felt misunderstood. People thought I was being extra or losing it when I was just trying to be obedient to a process I didn’t fully understand.
2025
Four years later, the Lord told me to start writing publicly. In July, I launched The Prototype Woman. Some of the ideas I share now were formed in my journal years ago. Looking back, I see that the life I lived between 2021 and today was intentional, both for my development and as a lived-out curriculum for what I would one day teach to other women. Nothing was wasted.
Six Weeks Ago
The Lord told me to do something I never thought about, but now I can clearly see He’s been preparing me for this my entire life. Although the assignment itself was never on my radar, I can already sense the grace and alignment to walk in it with ease. This assignment will move quickly, and it’s already begun to take off. I share this to emphasize that sometimes God’s pace will feel rapid.
Through it all, I’ve learned that purpose has a God-ordained pace. Discerning that pace requires wisdom, stillness, and spiritual maturity.
How to Discern God’s Timing
Ask God.
If we can be honest, there are many times that we don’t ask God for His timing on a thing; we just assume. We hear God and assume that means we need to do it tomorrow.
Remove distractions.
High-visibility women especially struggle here. Because of your gifts and heart to help, you will be constantly pulled on. What ends up happening is that you get too busy with things and people that God never ordained. You’re leading this, serving for that, and in close community with some who serve no purpose… all distractions.
You need to focus on hearing God, and He often speaks in a still, small voice. You have too much going on to hear. Because it’s good doesn’t mean it’s God. This is a time where you must remove people, places, and things that don’t align with this season of your life.
The Bible says, “Lay aside every weight” (Hebrews 12:1). Even good things can become distractions when they’re not God things.
Seek community that can hear Heaven.
What do I mean? Many pray, but fewer hear a response clearly and consistently. Some of this is based on consecration (how a person lives), and some of it is based on the person’s gifting and assignment. Those with prophetic gifts will hear more and with greater depth because of how they’ve been wired.
We’re chasing people with cute soundbites, fancy titles, and fluff who are giving us motivational pep talks. Those who hear Heaven can give you insight based on their experiences and walk with God and can often hear God on your behalf if led by the Spirit to do so. A rich community will be one of the key differentiators for those who thrive in this next season.
Learn the difference between revelation and release.
A word from God isn’t always a “now” word. Sometimes it’s a seed to be stewarded, not a door to be walked through. I’ve had prophetic words spoken over me years before they came to pass. The waiting taught me to discern when God is speaking and when He is sending.
When Purpose Moves at God’s Speed
God’s timing protects your purpose. Move too soon and you’ll strive. Move too late and you’ll struggle. But when you move with Him, everything aligns: the doors, the favor, the peace.
Purpose has a pace. Let God set it.
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1
💭 Reflection Prompt
Where might you be moving ahead of God or lagging behind Him?
Ask Him to reveal the pace of this season and give you the grace to walk in rhythm with His timing.