When God Leads Off the Map
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." – Hebrews 11:8
Trusting God feels easy when His plan matches your plan. It’s much harder when He leads you somewhere you didn’t expect, somewhere you wouldn’t have chosen on your own. The truth is, many of us are comfortable with God guiding us until His direction doesn’t line up with our timeline, preferences, or understanding.
Abraham’s story reminds us that sometimes obedience comes before understanding. God called him to leave everything familiar without telling him the final destination. That’s the reality of faith. God sees the whole path at once, but we only get the next step. And often that step looks different than we imagined.
The unexpected is where trust is tested and strengthened. You don’t learn to rely on God when everything is clear and predictable. You learn to trust when the path feels uncertain, when the timing feels off, and when your own plans get interrupted. The detour you didn’t want may be the preparation you didn’t know you needed. The delay may be God’s protection. His ways are higher, and His wisdom is greater than anything we could plan for ourselves.
When God takes you off the map, start with honesty. Tell Him when you feel confused or hesitant. Trust isn’t pretending you’re fine; it’s bringing your fears to Him and choosing to follow anyway. Then, take the next step you do know, even if it feels small.
Stay anchored while the route changes. Keep your heart in God’s Word so your perspective is shaped by truth instead of circumstances. Keep praying, not just for answers, but to stay close to Him. Keep walking with other believers who will encourage you to keep going when you want to turn back.
You may not like where obedience is taking you right now, but God has never failed His people. The cross looked like the worst road imaginable, yet it became the path to the greatest victory. If He could bring life from that, He can bring good from where you are now. You don’t need the whole map, just the next yes. And God will take care of the rest.
Trusting God feels easy when His plan matches your plan. It’s much harder when He leads you somewhere you didn’t expect, somewhere you wouldn’t have chosen on your own. The truth is, many of us are comfortable with God guiding us until His direction doesn’t line up with our timeline, preferences, or understanding.
Abraham’s story reminds us that sometimes obedience comes before understanding. God called him to leave everything familiar without telling him the final destination. That’s the reality of faith. God sees the whole path at once, but we only get the next step. And often that step looks different than we imagined.
The unexpected is where trust is tested and strengthened. You don’t learn to rely on God when everything is clear and predictable. You learn to trust when the path feels uncertain, when the timing feels off, and when your own plans get interrupted. The detour you didn’t want may be the preparation you didn’t know you needed. The delay may be God’s protection. His ways are higher, and His wisdom is greater than anything we could plan for ourselves.
When God takes you off the map, start with honesty. Tell Him when you feel confused or hesitant. Trust isn’t pretending you’re fine; it’s bringing your fears to Him and choosing to follow anyway. Then, take the next step you do know, even if it feels small.
Stay anchored while the route changes. Keep your heart in God’s Word so your perspective is shaped by truth instead of circumstances. Keep praying, not just for answers, but to stay close to Him. Keep walking with other believers who will encourage you to keep going when you want to turn back.
You may not like where obedience is taking you right now, but God has never failed His people. The cross looked like the worst road imaginable, yet it became the path to the greatest victory. If He could bring life from that, He can bring good from where you are now. You don’t need the whole map, just the next yes. And God will take care of the rest.
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But the larger question looms. How do you know where he’s leading if sometimes it feels like everything is silent? If you are seeking guidance for the route through the most troubled times but there is no movement? You read, you pray, you ask, you listen, you drive in silence, you attend worship and service, listen online, and for two years nothing. Not a glimmer or glistening of “lean this way or that”. And you are stuck or hurting so bad but you stay your course because you have no other options and no direction. And because you are faithful to Him. Knowing at some point your season will shift. But it’s been so silent and the compounding effects seem to never end. So it goes back to the original question with a twist I guess. How do you hear Him or see the direction when this world has you in this storm that is so thick, you can barely see your hands in front of you?
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
nPsalms 27:14 NIV
nhttps://bible.com/bible/111/psa.27.14.NIV
Jonathan, I wish I had magic words that would make you feel better
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
nPsalms 27:14 NIV
nhttps://bible.com/bible/111/psa.27.14.NIV
But I don't. What I do have is to tell you that I know your plight. I know your thoughts and feelings and your pain. I realized one day that maybe I wasn't listening. I was so busy praying and waiting, never getting an answer. There's a lady here in S A who wrote a book.." God Speaks to Me". She brought to light things i never recognized as God actually speaking to me. Claiming what you see or read or hear has helped me in ways I would not have thought. Sometimes we need to listen....really listen and claim what we hear. I keep a journal and each time I feel like He's trying to tell me something, I write it in the journal. Often I will go back and read what I wrote and sometimes the picture is a little more clear. There should never be silence because He is always there.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
nPsalms 27:14 NIV
nhttps://bible.com/bible/111/psa.27.14.NIV
Jonathan, I wish I had magic words that would make you feel better
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
nPsalms 27:14 NIV
nhttps://bible.com/bible/111/psa.27.14.NIV
I don’t have answers but I will pray.
nGod I lift up Jonathan to you. I pray for a spirit of peace to cover him from head to toe. Thank you for his faithfulness to stay in the boat during this storm. Lord thank you for your provision and protection in his time of uncertainty. Nothing happening to him is a surprise to you. Remind him that you are always in his tomorrow and all he needs to do is trust you today. All storms end even the one that flooded the earth. Father I pray that you would give him blessed assurance that the sun will shine again. Renew his hope, Jesus. Give him signs that could only be from you through people, scriptures, dreams to remind him that you are still there…..working. In your time, illuminate his path as bright as the sun and let it change him in a way that brings you glory. We ask this with expectancy in the name above all names, the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
nPsalms 27:14 NIV
nhttps://bible.com/bible/111/psa.27.14.NIV
Jonathan, I wish I had magic words that would make you feel better
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
nPsalms 27:14 NIV
nhttps://bible.com/bible/111/psa.27.14.NIV
But I don't. What I do have is to tell you that I know your plight. I know your thoughts and feelings and your pain. I realized one day that maybe I wasn't listening. I was so busy praying and waiting, never getting an answer. There's a lady here in S A who wrote a book.." God Speaks to Me". She brought to light things i never recognized as God actually speaking to me. Claiming what you see or read or hear has helped me in ways I would not have thought. Sometimes we need to listen....really listen and claim what we hear. I keep a journal and each time I feel like He's trying to tell me something, I write it in the journal. Often I will go back and read what I wrote and sometimes the picture is a little more clear. There should never be silence because He is always there.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
nPsalms 27:14 NIV
nhttps://bible.com/bible/111/psa.27.14.NIV
Jonathan, I wish I had magic words that would make you feel better
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
nPsalms 27:14 NIV
nhttps://bible.com/bible/111/psa.27.14.NIV
Trust in the lord. I have yet to be upset with Gods plans. It was uncomfortable not knowing, yet in the end it is miraculous.
Pastor Ed thank you. That’s some solid direction right there for people like me. I used to feel so lost as to how to go about life at all. Still it can get like that for me. My heart goes out to you Jonathan. The biggest and greatest moment of my entire life wasn’t just discovering that God was with me but that He had always been with me. When the time was right the Holy Spirit revealed His presence to me but He also reminded me of everything He had ever said to me. It finally all made sense but it was followed by a great feeling of humility. I was soooooo sorry. It’s all ok. To feel like we do and struggle. He understands. It is worth it. I try to remember what it was like when I had nothing. When I was nothing and was all alone. I’m drinking a cup of coffee right now which i used to not have. I’m alive when before I was dead. Sitting next to my son where i couldn’t do that before. My point is there is so much to be grateful for. I don’t understand Gods reasons for the way things go sometimes but what I do trust is that He does have a plan. He is good and He loves me very much. I believe that He loves you the same way Jonathan. And one day it will all make sense.
Jonathan. It may seem He's ignoring you but His time is always perfect. Remember the story of Job. Also Pastor's Ed devotional on Sept 11. I don't know your struggles but I'm praying for you.
This makes me think of both Abraham and Elijah—and even of Charlie Kirk. Abraham obeyed even without knowing the final destination, living in tents and holding onto God’s promises. Elijah, in his despair, felt like he was the only one left, but God reminded him there were still 7,000 and sent an angel to strengthen him.
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nCharlie lived in that same spirit—like Abraham, he “pitched his tent” wherever God led, boldly preaching truth in season and out of season. Even though his journey ended here, we know he inherited the eternal Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
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nTheir stories remind me that faith isn’t about comfort or certainty—it’s about trusting God’s voice, even when the path is hard or costly. And just like God strengthened Elijah and fulfilled His promise to Abraham, He will strengthen us and bring His purposes to completion. I am grateful to you pastor Ed.
When God Calls just follow by faith thats one of Charlie Kirks saying faith is what he stood on. We all must surrender to God and not question. Let's just follow. God Bless