Do You Know Where God Is Leading You?

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. 

Matthew 6:9-13

Where Should I Go?

After graduating college, I had some decisions to make. I could apply for graduate schools, I could move across the country to be in the same city as my boyfriend, I could go and live with my parents indefinitely. I prayed for God to just give me a clear answer, but I did not get one. Sometimes opportunities, or a lack of opportunities, is an answer to prayer. Sometimes you only have one place to go. Since I fell in the latter category, I moved to Augusta and lived with my parents. 

Moving in with my parents was humbling, but it also was a short, sweet time of growth, and a reminder that it was just one season of life. I got the opportunity to live with my sister for nine months, which was a blessing beyond words. I worked at a nonprofit medical clinic, which stretched me way beyond my emotional limits. I plugged into a small new church that put me in situations beyond my comfort zone.  

Most of my friends in Augusta were either married or single, and to them I was like a single person who had an imaginary fiancee. Making friends took more effort, and it was tempting to just withdraw from trying to create real relationships and just live a busy, surface-level life.  

In times like these when I felt alone and vulnerable, when temptation was crouching at the door, the Lord was closer. He was the coat that protected me from the storm of fear of the unknown. Those are the times my faith has increased tenfold. When all was stripped away, laid low, and I no longer had my dignity in finding a job, my certainty in relationships, or my college weekends filled with friends, I had the Lord. 

When I am tempted, I have to lean into the Lord's safety and turn away from the tempter. 

I have to pray in advance for the Lord not to lead me into temptation (Matthew 6:13). I have to memorize verses in preparation for the deserts (Matthew 4:4). I have to put on my shield of faith before Satan launches his flaming arrows (Ephesians 6:16). 

Where Is God Leading You?

If you're about to graduate, if you're in a crossroads in life, if you're in your twenties and in transition, do you know where God is leading you? More school? Asia? Singleness? Across the country? Another job? A nonprofit? Marriage? Your parent’s house? The Bible doesn’t say exactly where God is leading each of us, but Jesus does ask us to pray for God to not lead us into temptation (Matthew 6:13), and to deliver us from evil.

If temptation is a job, don't take it. 

If temptation is a person, don't go live with them. 

If temptation is a place, don't go there.

If temptation is an object, don't live for it. 

Where is God leading you? 

Pray that God will not lead you into temptation; it is Satan's trap for you. God never tempts, but He may test you to bring you closer to Him. God tested Abraham's faith, the Israelites' obedience, and Jesus' worthiness. He may need to teach you something about Himself through testing, but take heart! He will be with you, and grace always wins.

Where is God leading you? It may be into hard places, but you can trust your leader. Follow closely. Jesus will carry you when your strength fails. He will not lead you into the pits of temptation. When you don't know the way, remember that He is the way (John 14:6). 

Reflect and Respond

Are you trying to figure out what to do next? Ask and trust. Ask the Lord for direction, seek the Word, because it is a lamp to your feet (Psalm 119:105). Trust in Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Do you know where you’re going? Thank Jesus that He has allotted a place and period for you (Acts 17:26). Be watchful of the enemy and be looking out for ways to serve others (Philippians 2:4). Remain in God’s love.