A man and his tricycle
A man sits quietly on his tricycle by the roadside, resting as he waits for the next passenger. For a few moments, the world around him seems to slow down. His work is not finished, yet neither does he feel the need to rush. He simply waits, catching his breath, gathering his strength, and trusting that another opportunity will come. There is a quiet dignity in his patient waiting. Many years ago, this was a familiar sight along the streets of Singapore, when tricycle riders faithfully earned an honest living, one passenger at a time. Their work spoke of perseverance, contentment, and the quiet determination to provide for their families through the work of their hands.
Today, the tricycles that once filled our streets have largely disappeared, replaced by modern forms of transport. Only a handful remain around the Bugis district, where they now offer leisurely rides to visitors, preserving a small piece of Singapore’s heritage. Yet the image of a tricycle waiting patiently by the roadside still speaks to us. It reminds us that life is not always about moving faster or achieving more. Sometimes, there is purpose even in the waiting.
In more ways than one, our journey with God includes seasons like this. There are times when we wait for the next opportunity, the next chapter of life, or the next door that God will open. We wait for healing, for answers to prayer, for reconciliation, for employment, for retirement, for loved ones to return to the Lord, or simply for clarity about the path ahead. At other times, we find ourselves in quieter seasons when life seems to slow down and we wonder whether anything meaningful is happening at all. Yet none of these moments are wasted in God’s hands.
While we are waiting, God is working. In the stillness, He renews our strength, deepens our trust, teaches us patience, and gently reminds us that our worth is never measured by how busy we are, but by our faithful walk with Him. Just as the tricycle rider waits with quiet confidence that another passenger will come, we too can wait with confidence, knowing that our Heavenly Father is already preparing the next step of our journey. Even when we cannot see His hand at work, He is shaping our character, refining our faith, and preparing us for the blessings and responsibilities that lie ahead.
Take a moment today to remember God’s faithfulness through your own seasons of waiting. Think of the times He provided when there seemed to be just enough, opened doors you never expected, or filled your heart with peace while you waited for His answer. Looking back, you may discover that some of His greatest work was accomplished not during the busiest chapters of your life, but in the quiet pauses between them. Those seasons of waiting became seasons of growing, where He strengthened your faith, taught you to depend on Him, and gently prepared you for the journey that was still to come. May every season of waiting remind us that God’s timing is always perfect, His presence is always near, and His plans for our lives are always good.
Bible Verse:
A man’s steps are established by Yahweh.
He delights in his way.
Psalm 37:23 WEB
Blessings:
God has walked with you through every road you’ve travelled. May He continue to guide your steps, strengthen your heart, and use the work of your hands to bring His love and hope to others.
Reflection Point:
God has faithfully journeyed with you through every season of life. His presence, guidance, and daily provision have been constant blessings, even in the ordinary moments.
Reflection Question:
As you look back on your journey, where can you see God’s faithful hand leading and providing for you? How might you become an encouragement to someone travelling a difficult path today?
Action to Consider for this week:
Slow down and notice someone along your daily journey. Offer a warm greeting, help a neighbour with an errand, or spend time listening to someone who needs encouragement. Your simple act may brighten their path.
Hymn for the Reflection
He Leadeth Me
Hymn Writer
Joseph Henry Gilmore (1834–1918) was an American Baptist pastor, theologian, and professor of English literature. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of a Baptist minister and devoted much of his life to teaching and preaching.
Gilmore served as a professor at the University of Rochester and later at Newton Theological Institution. Although he wrote many articles and poems, he is remembered almost entirely for one hymn—“He Leadeth Me.”
Remarkably, Gilmore considered this hymn to be an unexpected gift from God rather than the result of careful planning. Its enduring message has comforted believers for more than 160 years.
The Story Behind the Hymn
The hymn was written almost spontaneously.
On March 26, 1862, while serving as a guest preacher at the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Joseph Gilmore preached a sermon on Psalm 23, focusing especially on God’s loving guidance as the Good Shepherd.
After returning home that evening, the words “He leadeth me” continued to fill his heart.
Reflecting on God’s faithful direction throughout every season of life, he wrote the poem in just a few minutes. He had no intention of publishing it and simply left the manuscript on the table.
His wife noticed the poem, quietly sent it to a Christian newspaper without telling him, and it was later published.
Two years afterward, composer William B. Bradbury discovered the poem and immediately recognised its beauty. He composed the melody that Christians still sing today.
Gilmore later wrote that of everything he had written during his lifetime, this simple hymn had touched more lives than anything else, even though he had given it very little thought at the time.