It seems to be easier to follow God’s will when He tells me to go. I like to go. I like to move forward. Even if I don’t quite understand why or what is ahead of me, I feel like moving forward on God’s command is still making progress. I’m able to take steps in the direction He wants me to go. I’m still moving.
But what happens when God says stop? That command is even harder and often more confusing than the push to go into the unknown.
Yet, sometimes God plants a stop sign smack dab in the middle of the path.
I’ve been there, staring at that stop sign, unsure of which way to turn, but knowing I need to stop and change direction.
I look behind me at the road I’ve been traveling. A road I thought I’d continue to cruise. I remember when my wheels first hit this pavement. I wasn’t exactly sure where it led, but I knew with all my heart it was where I was meant to be. I felt God there—beside me, before me, behind me. After all, He is the reason I chose this route in the first place, it was where He led. Sure there were some bumps, a few detours, but the entire time, I was confident it’s where He wanted me.
But now—now I’m at a stop sign. And I know I’m not supposed to go forward. I don’t understand why. Why would God lead me down a road, move obstacles, build bridges to get me to this point only to say, I need you to stop here and change direction? Why would He give me such a desire, a drive to follow this path and then ask me to push it aside, let it fade? Am I even sure He’s the one who put up this stop sign?
But I am. I’ve prayed, I’ve asked for wisdom and guidance. This stop sign is a necessary part of my journey.
That doesn’t make it easy. That doesn’t change my confusion. I’m still wrestling with God, arguing even. I know I have to stop and turn, but I don’t know which way. I know He has a destination in mind, but I can’t see it—not even in the distant horizon.
Have you seen that stop sign before? Maybe you're standing at it right now. So what do you do when something you had felt so sure of no longer feels destined by God?
You stop and turn.
You have faith that He sent you down this road you’re being told to leave behind for a reason. You surrender to His will and trust that His ways are higher.
And, maybe, someday you’ll come to a corner, you’ll make a turn, and you’ll be led right back to this exact place. And because the timing is His, God will replace that stop sign with an arrow urging you ahead, and you’ll gladly step forward in confidence knowing that change of direction was a necessary part of the journey.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).