Forward Isn’t Only for the Fearless
We tell ourselves the story often enough that it starts to feel true: I can’t take the next step until I have the perfect plan. Until the finances align. Until the kids are older. Until I’m more qualified, more confident, more… ready.
But here’s what I’ve learned, both in my own journey and walking alongside ministry leaders for years—God rarely gives us the whole map before He asks us to move.
Most of our steps of faith don’t begin with certainty. They begin with trust. And honestly? Waiting until we have it “all figured out” usually isn’t wisdom—it’s fear dressed up in reasonable clothing.
Today, let’s give ourselves permission to believe something different: moving forward doesn’t require a perfect plan. It just requires willingness.
The Lamp, Not the Spotlight
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
I love this image. God’s Word isn’t a floodlight showing us the next five years—it’s a lamp. Just enough light for the next step. Not the whole staircase. Not the destination. Just… this step.
Picture those ancient travelers walking rocky roads at night with small oil lamps. They couldn’t see far ahead, but they could see enough. One foot, then the other. That was sufficient.
God doesn’t ask us to see the horizon. He asks us to trust Him Who does.
When You Don’t Know the How, Start with the Who
If you’re standing at a crossroads today, unsure which way to turn, here are three simple truths to anchor you:
1. Listen Before You Leap
You don’t need every answer mapped out, but you do need to keep your heart open. Spend time in Scripture. Seek wise counsel. Pay attention to those quiet nudges in prayer. The next step becomes clearer when we’re actively listening rather than anxiously planning.
2. Start Small, Start Now
Movement doesn’t have to be dramatic. Register for that course. Make the phone call. Have the conversation. Write the email. Whatever shifts you from waiting to willing—do that.
We’re not called to leap mountains in a single bound. Just to take the next faithful step.
3. Trust the Process, Not Just the Outcome
Progress rarely looks like a straight line. It’s messy. It’s two steps forward, one step back. It’s learning as we go.
And you know what? God delights in our obedience more than our polished results. Your willingness to move—even when it feels shaky—honors Him.
Grace for the Journey
So, wherever you find yourself today—stuck at the starting line, waiting for more clarity, more confidence, more something—hear this:
God isn’t waiting for you to arrive before He uses you. He’s inviting you to come now, just as you are, trusting that He’ll meet you along the way.
You can move forward without all the answers because the One who has all the answers walks beside you. He is faithful in the fog. Steady when the path feels uncertain. Kind through every unexpected turn.
So lace up your shoes. Even a shaky step counts in faith.
Reflection Verse:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (ESV)