“In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.” —PROVERBS 3:6

Guidance in God’s personal will for us is part of His covenant with us. We don’t need to pray for it as He has automatically undertaken to direct our lives if we are acknowledging Him in all our ways.

We may begin to feel a pull in a certain direction, somewhat like a compass God places in our hearts. It can be initiated in various ways; a vision, a dream, interaction with others or an event that’s occurred. For the time being, we tuck it to the back of our minds, and if it’s from God, it will materialize. Sometimes it’ll take years, and then suddenly jump to the forefront with opportunity that takes us in that direction.

If the pull we feel is strong and persistent, we need to ask ourselves some questions. First and foremost, is what we believe God is calling us to do in line with scripture, not just a few verses, but the whole of Scripture? Will it benefit others and draw us closer to God or away from Him? Does that pull allow us to venture out without neglecting responsibilities? What do our inner convictions say and what do family and close friends say? Proverbs 12:15 says, “A wise man listens to advice.” But it’s advice, not instruction we’re looking for. We must own the decision.

Some of us are so paralysed by fear of a wrong move that we never make a right move. But God has a built-in parachute for the wrong mover! Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you’ll hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’.” The voice is behind us because we can live for years with no conscious confirmation of the guidance of God at all as He is already actively guiding us. If we’ve made a wrong move, we can trust the Spirit of God will alert us, and get us back on track.

God’s guidance is not a static act. It is a living process of the Holy Spirit, leading us to the right place at the right time for the right purpose. A positive, adventurous attitude towards life is designed to be part of the normal Christian experience. In our willingness to present ourselves wholly to God, He has undertaken to guide us, but we cannot sit back passively, waiting for things to happen. We prayerfully step out in faith, and trusting God, walk through the doors He’s opened. In a very real sense, we’ll discover there’s nothing that fills our lives more than experiencing God’s perfect desire for us.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, your guidance in my life is something I hugely count on. Thank You for it.

TO REFLECT UPON: In looking back over the years, have I experienced God’s guidance in bringing me to where I am today?