When You Can’t See the Whole Picture by Tynea Lewis

My husband is in the final six months of seminary. For nine years, he was a teacher, but during that time, he felt God nudging him toward ministry. We prayed about it but didn’t know what all of it meant. We didn’t know where God was leading, but we could feel him stirring something within us. Michael resigned from his teaching career in 2019 to pursue seminary education full-time. We didn’t know how everything was going to work out, but just as God does, He made a way. We couldn’t see all the pieces, but we knew it was the next step.

It can be scary at times, but we know God is calling our family to a life of ministry. We have no idea where God is going to lead us next. All we know is He’s going to lead because we’ve seen Him do it in the past. I’m the type of person who wants to know every detail and how those details are going to come together. If there is too much risk involved, it’s harder for me to jump in and be okay with the unknown. Despite all the unknowns, I jumped head-first into this. That peace could only come from God.

Is God stirring something in your heart? Something big, scary, and life-altering? It’s so easy to let fear put out those sparks because we want to live a life that is comfortable, but I’m realizing more and more that following Jesus is not about being comfortable. It’s about being willing to give up our comfort, our status, our possessions, and to truly follow Him.

So, what do you do when you feel a nudging to explore a new path?

Pray

Take it to God. Share your struggles, your hopes, your fears. He longs to hear from you. Many times, I have no idea where God is directing, but He always calms my anxious heart and provides clarity when I turn to Him in prayer.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

I love that this peace transcends all understanding because it clearly comes from God. There are many moments where I should not have peace, based on a worldly perspective, but God settles my heart. That’s the gentle answer from God. It’s the reassurance that He has everything under control and that I’m on the right path.

When we face uncertainty and big decisions, are we depending on our own understanding or the understanding of God? Are we trusting that He is going to show us the way? We need God’s understanding; we need His wisdom. The amazing thing is He gives it generously to all who ask (James 1:5).

God is faithful and will show the way. God is faithful and will make the way. It might not be the way we would make, but every time God changes the plan on me, it always ends up so much better than I could have ever imagined. In those moments, I’m reminded of my limitations and my humanity. I’m flawed. The world is flawed, but our God is not.

Seek Wise Counsel

God uses people in our lives to point us back to Him. He uses people to accomplish His will. When we are trying to discern God’s will for us, an important thing to do is seek wise counsel. The book of Proverbs is filled with this reminder.

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” (Proverbs 11:14 NIV)

“The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15 NIV)

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:20-21 NIV)

Turn to someone who is rooted in the Bible, someone who is walking diligently with God.

Follow God

When we have that peace in our hearts about which direction to take, we must follow God. “It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4 NIV)

We must put into action what God tells us. We must obey, even when it’s scary. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46 NIV)

Our fear keeps us stuck. It keeps us from fully serving God with everything we have. It keeps us from reaching the people God wants us to reach. You might not know what is going to come up around the next bend, but He does. He will continue to direct and lead as you submit to Him and ask for wisdom and direction. He will continue to show up in impossible situations. He will continue to be faithful. He will continue to be sovereign. He will continue to be God.

Prayer:

Lord, I’m facing a big decision, and you are stirring my heart to action. Honestly, I’m terrified of the unknown. I’m scared of what you’re calling me to do, but I know you give peace. You give wisdom to those who seek it. Lord, I desperately need your wisdom. Help me know what to do, and I ask that you bring people into my life who point me to your truth. Quiet the wrestling within me so I can hear your voice and faithfully walk on the path you have called me. Thank you for always being by my side and for making a way when it seems impossible. Never have you let me down, and never will you fail me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.