Feeling Stuck? Do Something.

I’ve never heard from God. Audibly at least. No booming voice. No lightning bolt from the sky. No burning bush. 

Though I desperately aim to seek what He wants for my life, there are many times I get stuck not knowing what to do. Should I say yes to this speaking engagement or the other? Do I support this hospital, that child, this charity, or that business idea? Do I continue to keep playing sports or not? The list is long – and I’m sure you can relate.

This hearing-from-God stuff can be tricky. Making decisions doesn’t always happen at the snap of a finger. 

I know how hard it can be when we hit a crossroad in life and are not sure what to do. 

But I definitely believe God speaks to people through a variety of ways. For starters, His voice is heard through the Bible. 

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). 

I also believe we can hear Him through wise counsel, from those we trust. I can tell you that when I’m faced with a circumstance that warrants a tough decision, I pray long and hard, I try to listen to what I feel God puts on my heart, I seek wise counsel, and I reflect on my most important priorities.

Does my hesitancy in making a decision because I don’t ‘hear God tell me what to do’ make me a bad Christian? Of course not. It makes me human.  

And I’d prefer to err on the side of caution rather than say something like “God told me to do this or that.” This has always sounded to me like pulling a trump card, the ultimate ace of spades. If God told me, who can argue with that? 

Want to join the conversation? Text #stuck to (904) 441-5450 to ask me a question or give me your thoughts.

It is no small thing to speak for God. I don’t ever want to be responsible for the repercussions that follow making that statement and it not being true. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard Christians throw those words around. 

For example, before I got married, in just one weekend of speaking at a few events, six people came up to me and said, “God told me that you are going to marry my daughter!” Interesting. God never told me that. And I’ve got a pretty big hunch that it is not God’s will for me to have six wives! 

Outside of God giving us crystal-clear, step-by-step instructions or guidance, it can be tempting to get stuck. We don’t know which direction to travel in. When do we stay put? When do we move on? What job offer do we take? Whom do we marry? Do we expand our family? Where do we go to school? Should we start this ministry? And sometimes in the absence of hearing answers from God, we do nothing. Certainly, there is a time to wait on God, but rarely is there a time to do absolutely nothing. 

You know what happens when we do nothing? Nothing.

Impacting others requires action. Playing video games or watching Netflix all day is not going to encourage your neighbor or help someone who is struggling. Now, I’m not saying that playing Xbox or streaming TV is bad; I’m just saying that if you are truly looking to make a difference, you have to start doing something that can make a difference. 

The little things we do each day add up to something greater, something we will ultimately leave behind. And what that ends up looking like for you and for me will depend on how we live, knowing whose we are.

Don’t let life get in the way of choosing to impact others. There is always something to do. 

Pay attention. Look around. Listen. 

God just might be speaking.