Does the Sign Really Matter or Does The Shepherd?
Inside: I want to know the whole plan instead of just being obedient in the small things that He sends my way every day. Does the sign matter or does a greater union with the Shepherd? In order to know God’s will we need to get closer to Him.
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I have been waiting for a sign from God about my calling for a long time. I always joke that He would need to either have neon lights on it or drop it right into my lap. It has to be obvious because I would probably miss it.
I’ve spent three years praying the same prayer over and over. I started to wonder if God even heard me.
The thing is, if I’m in deep connection with Him, I should see it. It should be pronounced.
Am I looking for what I want to see? I know what’s best for me.
Don’t we get this way? Or am I the only one who thinks I know the best way?
I want to know the whole plan instead of just being obedient to the small things that He sends my way every day. I think if it is His will for me, it will be easy and risk would be minimal.
When you read the paragraph above, the focus is on “me. “I” this and “I” that.
Is the sign really that important? Or is it how I respond that makes the biggest deal?
God’s Will is His Will, Not Mine
My calling isn’t about me, but about Him. He is more concerned about my growth and dependence than my comfort.
His purpose matters more than my plan. Share on X
The calling might hurt and be risky.
The devil will target and threaten. Relentlessly. Sniper-attack with the bull’s eye on me.
Huh? Say what?
Am I really ready to find the sign? Or am I holding myself back because I want the calling to be plush and cozy?
I’m so guilty. I want what I want. My plan over His purpose.
The problem is, I want the type of faith that oozes out Jesus. I want to be the woman, who is batter-rammed and continues to shine His glory.
Her kids call her “blessed.”
I long to hear “well done my good and faithful servant.”
A comfortable and risk-free life can’t happen if I want a faith like that.
Following His plan will guarantee a full-strength faith.
Finding God’s Will For Me
When I think I need a sign, I will follow these tips to align me closer to God’s will for me:
- Huddle up with God: I will spend time daily in devotion to God. Relationships require time and effort. We can’t progress on His path if we put-off our powwow.
- Hang tight: I need to slow down and accept the small steps He sends my way. Small steps need to be mastered before the bigger steps. I need patience as I trust Him in His timing and direction.
- Hand over my humanness: I will get frustrated and uncomfortable. All my human emotions will come out in full force. This doesn’t mean I’m not on His path, it means God is still growing me. Chiseling and pruning me to be His best.
Getting closer to God is a life-long journey.
- Hike: Our calling lasts our entire life. We don’t master our calling, He masters us. Signs might change and direction might change, but God is our compass. Slow progress and some backtracking happen on the way. Some days it’s hard and the desire to give up is real.
- Heaven: God’s success is counter-cultural. He’s more concerned about our character growth and His message happening. These are the things that will be present in Heaven. Money and fame will disappear. His glory will shine bright the entire journey. Heaven is the goal of any sign and calling.
I don’t know about you but these tips take so much pressure off. Instead of frantically searching, I can spend more time in His presence. The relationship with Him will get me the closest to His will for my life.
When I’m meeting with Him, I won’t mistake and make a mishap. I will know He has me right where He wants me. It might not be where I think I should be, but He is JEHOVAH ROHI. God is my Shepherd, and He knows what sign is the best for me and the calling that fits me right to a “T.”
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (John 10:3, NLT).
These are great tips that I will need to use as well. I love this line: “His purpose matters more than my plan.” That’s the truth. Enjoy the rest of your week, friend. Thank you for sharing this post.
Carolina- I wrote this post mostly for my benefit:) I want the great big of everything fast. I need to trust Him. Trust and patience have been on my test the last few years. I don’t think I’ve passed it yet. Someday!
Have a great rest of the week also!
Julie
I love this post, Julie! And this..”Hang tight: I need to slow down and accept the small steps He sends my way. Small steps need to be mastered before the bigger steps. I need patience as I trust Him in His timing and direction.” That’ll preach, girl!
Kelly- I’m having trouble slowing down and accepting the small.
So glad you stopped!
Julie
Oh my goodness! I’m a “I want what I want” gal too! I love your tips, especially remembering it’s a life long process. I need to remind myself of that quite often. Great post! Cindy
Cindy- I have to remind myself often too. I’m not good with being uncomfortable or taking risks. My patience needs some work too.
Thanks for stopping!
Julie
Meg- Thank you! He’s mastering me alright…painfully! Chiseling is happening!
Julie
Great advice! I also struggle with wanting to see the whole plan instead of just walking with God and allowing him to be my shepherd and lead me step by step. #LiveFreeThursday
Carly- I’m thankful I don’t struggle alone!
Thank you for stopping!
Julie
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Love this: “His purpose matters more than my plan.” Sometimes we don’t see His leading til after the fact – so thankful that “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Love the emphasis on seeking fellowship with the Shepherd rather than a sign.
Barbara- Thank you for the kind words. Yes, we can plan but His plan is superior. Gosh do I know that to be true. Planning aficionado here. He’s rearranged my plans a lot. Intentionally seeking Him first and then following from now on. It’s hard surrendering here, so I need to reaffirm this to myself often.
Blessings on your week!
Julie
Tasha- thank you for your encouragement! I get frustrated if I try and decipher the signs, but if I just walk with Him, he’ll align me!
I appreciate you stopping!?
Julie
So, so, SO MUCH good stuff here!! I love this, Julie! Especially this, “We don’t master our calling, He masters us.”
Friend, I relate to wanting the fully laid path. Maybe a written guidebook with a set of FAQs while I’m at it! The small obedient steps seem so … well … small and unimportant. It’s difficult to see the finished masterpiece when we only know the little steps along the way. But that is the big thing He is calling us to. Walking the little steps faithfully trusting He has the masterpiece all laid out. We may never even see the finished project, but we know our God is one of beauty, wonder, and masterful planning, so we can believe His master plan for us will be the same!
Thank you so much for sharing this hope with us at #MomentsofHope! I am so thankful for you!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori- Yes the small steps should be easy but they aren’t. After thinking though, if God gave us the big steps we’d hurry right through and miss the journey. Or we’d ask for some small steps because we would be tired of the big ones. We are funny aren’t we? We want what we don’t have.
I’m my biggest problem;)
Thanks for hosting #MomentsofHope!
Julie
I want to know the whole plan instead of just being obedient to the small things that He sends my way every day. – This would be great! That would feel so much more doable and make sense. But I love your ‘hike’ point. I think there have been times that I have missed the sign. God is so much bigger than my denseness!
Melissa- I want to know it all too!
God’s plan for us–if it’s really good–includes suffering because the kind of character you need to have to be doing mighty things for God is produced only through suffering. The result of suffering is endurance and a lasting character. (See James 1:2-4)
Susan- I agree! I don’t have to like the suffering though, right? 😉