Author	Thread: Guiding footsteps
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	Guiding footsteps Posted : 6 Jan, 2011 07:18 PM Ok, so I've been thinking...when it comes to deciding big things in your life, how do you go about deciding where God is leading you? Do you just step out and see what happens? Do you wait for some divine nudge? Pray a lot? Some scriptures would be cool. I was just thinking that in most places the bible says things like "God will direct your footsteps" or something similar, but that implies you're already walking somewhere to start with. So...lemme know what you think! :peace::peace: Post Reply
bcpianogal View Profile History	Guiding footsteps Posted : 6 Jan, 2011 07:59 PM Psalm 119:105 -- Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I've usually taken this verse to mean that God will use His Word, the Bible, to guide me. If I don't actually step forward in faith, though, how will He illuminate the next step? My "test" is that if I don't sense a "NO" from God, I go ahead and take the first step that I feel could be His will for me. His response determines my next one. Did that makes sense? Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	Guiding footsteps Posted : 6 Jan, 2011 08:40 PM But couldn't that be presumption? I mean...lots of people take steps in every direction. Some good, some bad, some seem to be rewarded even when they're doing the wrong thing, and some don't even when they're taking the right path....it's just confusing. I'm just at a confusing place right now...do I step forward toward the things I want(jobs/money/life) and just assume that God is going to intervene if it's the wrong choice or do I wait for "the light"? I feel like I should wait...because up to now it's always been "providence" that has kind of led me around to this point, but it almost feels lazy and I'm getting tired/doubtful of it. Which also feels wrong...maybe I just need to listen to Mr. Conscience. :peace::peace: Post Reply
bcpianogal View Profile History	Guiding footsteps Posted : 7 Jan, 2011 06:18 AM I know how you feel, because I've been in your shoes a few times. That's where a lot of prayer and Bible study came in. I've learned that if I'm doing my best to walk (notice I didn't say "sit on my rear") in God's will, He will continually show me the way. Not once have I absolutely KNOWN the direction in which He was leading me until I started moving forward with what I thought He would want me to do. For example, I felt God nudging me to go to a Christian college. He wasn't giving me any clear directions as to WHERE I should go, though, so I looked around and found one that I liked. I started taking steps to apply there. God slammed the door...and opened the door to another college that has played a huge role in who I am today. I don't know if I was rushing ahead in picking a college, but God's leading was so crystal clear when he opened a new door that I couldn't mistake it. I don't know that I would have even noticed His leading had I not been already in motion and moving ahead toward a goal. Another example happened when I was finishing my graduate degree. I knew God wanted me to teach piano. I KNEW it. Without a doubt. But He didn't tell me if he wanted me to teach privately, or through an academy, or at a college, etc. So I picked private teaching. It was what I was most experienced at, it was a way that I could serve God daily, and I thought that maybe God was leading me to do that. Nope. Once again, His leading to teach college was crystal clear. He didn't slam the door on private or academy teaching, though...instead, he opened a door that lead to other areas too, and blessed me with several private students and a job with the fine arts academy at the college where I now teach. I heard something a few years ago that has made more sense as I've experienced it: "When God shuts a door, He opens a new one...but it's the dark hallways that are the hardest." If we don't start walking down the hallway, how will we know if God has shut "Door #1" and opened "Door #2"? Of course, if you ask 50 different people your question, you'll probably get 50 different answers. But now you have mine! Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	Guiding footsteps Posted : 8 Jan, 2011 11:47 AM Well...I'm in a bit of a different place. I'm already where I "think" God has led me, but I have desires to "do stuff" to acquire or achieve things that "I" want....so I'm thinking I should probably wait for a push from God before I rush off in a different direction...or should I just start heading off where I want to go and see if He stops me? That just doesn't sound very safe. :peace::peace: Post Reply
bcpianogal View Profile History	Guiding footsteps Posted : 10 Jan, 2011 05:43 AM Yeah, that is a bit of a different place, one that I'm not sure I can relate to as easily. But here's something to think about: Do you think that God could have given you those "wants" for something else? He might have you where he wants you, and he might not want that to change drastically, but at the same time He might be nudging you to make a few changes that will better prepare you for whatever it is He is planning for your future. Wouldn't it be nice if God gave us a detailed, personalized guidebook to follow? He did, in a sense, when He gave us the Bible, but I've yet to find a verse that says "Beth, you need to go to such-and-such college, and here's why..." Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	Guiding footsteps Posted : 10 Jan, 2011 08:50 AM Yeah...confusing. Guess that could be, I'll just have to stick with what I know, eh? Thanks for the advice:waving:. :peace::peace: Post Reply