Go Where God Leads You
Theme: Go Where God Leads You
Verse: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Life is full of unexpected twists. A single choice—whether monumental or seemingly mundane—can reshape not only your journey but the lives of those around you and even those you will never meet.
Consider the movie classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”. (In my humble opinion, it stands atop all Christmas films—sorry, Beth (my sister), if you’re still a champion of “Elf”.) In “It’s A Wonderful Life”, George Bailey dreams of adventure beyond his small hometown of Bedford Falls, New York, yet he never leaves. But by trusting the path God set before him, George transforms his family’s future, uplifts his neighbors, and even plays a part in the Allied victory of World War II. This December, revisit his story and watch how faithful obedience creates ripples far beyond oneself.
You might wonder, though, “Why invoke a Christmas movie on a sun-soaked North American summer morning?” Because “It’s a Wonderful Life” illustrates this truth better than most stories I know: God has a plan for each of us. Whether it’s in the sports we pursue, the careers we choose, who we marry, or how we serve others—God opens and closes doors throughout our lives. The real challenge is learning to recognize which doors are from Him—and which are not.
Here are a few guidelines that might help you discern:
Prayer and Peace: God often confirms His will through sustained prayer. If you've been lifting something to Him, and doors start to open in that direction, it’s likely His hand at work. Look for that peace that Philippians 4:6–7 promises—peace that settles your heart even when the road ahead looks uncertain.
Alignment with God’s Word: God will never ask you to compromise His truth. If a door leads you to cut corners, forsake integrity, or shift your values, it’s not from Him. Scripture is always our clearest guide.
Wise and Impartial Counsel: Seek the wisdom of mature believers who love you enough to tell you the truth. They won’t just say what you want to hear—they’ll say what you need to hear. When their insights line up with what God’s been showing you, take note.
Fruit and Timing: Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16). Will this choice lead to the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and more?
When an opportunity appears, pause to pray, reflect, and seek godly counsel. If it aligns with Scripture, brings inner peace, and promises spiritual fruit, step forward in confidence. God equips those He calls, —just like George Bailey—who discovered that one faithful, WONDERFUL life—lived fully—can bless an entire world.
Have a WONDERFUL week (and LIFE)!