Where are you headed?

Years ago when I first started my career, I was told you should always have goals for yourself.  Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?  I’ve never really lived by that for my career, but I have identified things I wanted out of life as a whole.  For example, some of my life long goals have been to purchase a home; to get my degree; to find fulfilling work that also pays the bills, etc.  Along the way, I’ve sought God’s guidance on the next steps and such, but never really knowing where exactly I was headed.  I’ve trusted that God will lead me to my next “thing,” and He has.  He has always had a plan for me (Jer 29:11).  

However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve definitely gotten more settled into my ways and what I look forward to in the years to come.  But I recently realized that my plans may not align with what God has in store for me (Prob 19:21, Isa 55:8).  I pray and I read my bible (not as much as I should, but more than I used to) for direction and wisdom and I believe that God directs my path (Prov 3:5-6).  But, He gave me free will to make decisions and take actions.  Don’t get me wrong His Will will be done, even when I’m disobedient and out of place.  There will also be consequences for the decisions I make – good when I align with God’s Will and the opposite when I don’t.  

A few months ago, I would have said, I’m not leaving my job (unless they fire me) until I retire and I’m not moving from the Atlanta suburbs.  Now, I’m not so sure.  I know he sent Abraham away from everything He knew.  Joseph went through an undesired path to get to where God was taking him. 

God is continually providing me opportunities to see and experience Him.  I want to go where He leads and be who He desires me to be.  I’m still seeking His Will for my next steps and I know He will lead and guide me.  But I pose the question to you – where are you headed?  Is it where God is leading you or are you leading yourself?  Has He opened doors that you refuse to walk through?  Has He made a way for you that you don’t want?  I’ve found that God’s ways aren’t always the ways I want something to happen or the way I want to go, but I have to remind myself that He is God and He knows best – what’s best for me and all of His creation.  

I don’t know exactly where God is leading me, but I fully plan to follow.  I know it’ll be a little bit uncomfortable (as almost all change is), but the Holy Spirit will be with me, no matter what.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13).  And so can you!