Never Too Late: A Call to Men of God

Men, I know the feeling all too well. The sense that it’s too late to become the kind of spiritual leader you’ve always heard about. You think you’re not “godly” enough, that it’s too hard to break old habits, or that maybe you’ve missed your chance to rise up and take your place as the man God calls you to be. If that’s you, let me speak to you directly: You’re wrong.

The truth is godly leadership doesn’t come from us trying harder. It doesn’t come from having it all figured out. The best Christian leaders—the men whose lives make a real impact—don’t stand out because they’re naturally gifted or have their act together. They have one thing in common: they are fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit. That’s it. They’ve learned that their power, wisdom, and ability to lead come from Him, not themselves.

Think about Jesus’ words in John 15:5, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” That’s not a suggestion—it’s a fact. Real leadership begins when we stop relying on our own strength and start depending on God’s Spirit to guide us. Whether you’re leading your family, a group of men, or a business, the key isn’t more willpower; it’s more surrender.

The Power of Yielding to God’s Spirit

You may be wondering, “But how do I do that? What does it even mean to be led by the Spirit?”

It starts with knowing that God’s timing is perfect. You haven’t missed your moment. God isn’t looking for flawless men; He’s looking for available men. Men like Moses, who, when called to lead, felt unworthy and inadequate. God didn’t choose Moses because of his natural abilities. He chose him because he was willing to be led.

Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” That’s what defines us as godly men—not how many Bible verses we’ve memorized, not how many people we lead, but whether or not we are following the Holy Spirit’s direction in our lives. The Spirit knows your weaknesses and your insecurities, and He will lead you through them, not in spite of them. The beauty of God’s sovereign plan is that your brokenness isn’t an obstacle—it’s often the very thing God uses to shape you into the leader you’re meant to be.

Rejecting the “Too Late” Mentality

Let’s talk about that nagging voice in your head that says, “It’s too late for me.” That’s a lie. God’s not limited by your past failures or how far you think you’ve drifted. Look at the Apostle Paul. Here’s a man who was once a persecutor of the Church, responsible for imprisoning and even killing Christians. And yet, God chose him to be one of the greatest spiritual leaders in history.

God isn’t bound by time the way we are. He knows your story from beginning to end, and His plan for your life isn’t derailed by your mistakes or how late in the game you think you are. If you’re breathing, there’s time to lead well.

You see, leadership isn’t about reaching a destination; it’s about walking in step with God, moment by moment. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” When you’re leaning on the Holy Spirit, He’s the one straightening the path before you, even if you can’t see it yet.

Real Leadership Is About Obedience, Not Perfection

Maybe you’ve disqualified yourself because you don’t think you measure up to the image of a “spiritual leader.” But here’s the thing: God isn’t asking you to be perfect. He’s asking you to be obedient.

Think about David, the man after God’s own heart. He wasn’t flawless. He messed up, and not just in small ways. But what set David apart was his willingness to humble himself before God, admit when he was wrong, and seek the Spirit’s guidance. That’s what real leadership looks like—it’s not about having a clean record, but a clean heart that’s open to God’s direction.

Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Walking by the Spirit doesn’t mean you’ll never struggle or make mistakes, but it does mean that when you do, you’ll know where to turn. God’s Spirit is the compass that points us back to Him when we’ve gone off course.

Godly Leadership Begins Today

So, what does it look like to step into leadership today, right where you are? It’s not about a grand gesture. It’s about daily choices—choosing to listen for the Spirit’s voice in your decisions, to pray for guidance in how you lead your family or how you handle your work. It’s about trusting that God can do more with your life than you could ever imagine, even if you’re not sure how it’s going to play out.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that becoming a godly leader is too hard or that it’s only for other men. God’s call on your life is right in front of you, and He’s given you everything you need to answer it—the power of His Holy Spirit. You don’t have to do this on your own, and frankly, you can’t. But the good news is that you were never meant to.

God is ready to lead you if you’re ready to follow. It’s not too late, it’s not too hard, and you’re not disqualified. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:11), and He will empower you to lead in ways that will glorify God and bless those around you.

Let’s be the men who are known not for our own strength, but for how we rely on His. Yield to the Spirit, step into leadership, and watch what God will do.

Let’s get to work.

-BD