How Can I Be Sure I’m Following the Lord’s Lead in My Life?
We might be tempted to think that when the Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt, they had it easy following the Lord's lead in their lives. A cloud to lead and shade them from the hot desert sun during the day and a fire to keep them warm on those cold desert nights. Moses even benefited from God's audible voice when he wasn't sure what to do next. But even with these powerful signs, the Israelites still sometimes had trouble trusting God, accusing Moses on more than one occasion of bringing them out of Egypt only to die in the desert. In many ways, standing on the edge of graduation can feel a bit like standing at the edge of the desert in terms of not knowing exactly what comes next. Feeling a little nervous about what the journey ahead might look like is normal.
Many of us like the feeling that we have everything under control. We also like a guarantee that the plans we've made won't fail, and we definitely prefer a life of ease and comfort rather than one riddled with challenges and hardship. Trusting God to lead us in life pretty much takes everything out of our hands and leaves it for God to orchestrate. As you consider jobs, further schooling, or new responsibilities, it can be tempting to want a crystal-clear plan, but God often invites us to trust Him one step at a time.
God tends to tell us what we need to know on a need-to-know basis. Perhaps this is so that we won't get overwhelmed. But it definitely causes our faith to grow when we're relegated to one step at a time. Sometimes, that step is obvious, but more frequently, it's not.
Importance of Prayer and His Word in Following the Lord's Leading
We have to be rightly positioned in order to have a sense of how God is leading us in our life. That begins with asking Him in prayer to help us know where he wants us to go and what He wants us to do. It's also important that we're staying in the Word. Not only will this encourage us, but He's most likely to speak to us through His Word and during our prayer time. After we pour out our heart, it's important to say to Him something like, "Is there anything You want to say to me?" and then pause for a minute or two and see if He brings something to our mind.
There were many people in Israel who prayed for hundreds of years that God would deliver them out of Egypt (Exodus 3:7-10). Now, it's not likely that God would make you and me wait hundreds of years before He revealed His plans for us. But He won't necessarily answer immediately, either. It could be weeks, months, or even a decade. There are many reasons why God delays. That's why He encourages us to ask and keep on asking (Matt. 7:7-12).
God can also lead us through circumstances. We'll be quicker to recognize that He's at work if we've been in prayer. The first and second chapters of the book of Nehemiah are a nice illustration of this. Nehemiah, who was a cupbearer for the king, prayed, and the Lord answered through the king.
The more of His Word we have hidden in our hearts through memory verses, the better we will be able to recognize it when He's leading us in our lives. God will never tell us to do something contrary to His Word. The more time we spend with Him in prayer and His Word, the better we will know His voice and recognize when He's leading us in our lives (John 10:1-5).
God Likes to Use Our Giftings and Talents
It's important to take inventory of the gifts and talents that God has placed in us. Our gifts, talents, and interests are typically a part of His will for our lives. For example, He's not likely to call someone who doesn't have a talent for working with numbers into the accounting field. Likewise, He's not likely to call someone not artistically inclined to the arts. Our gifts, talents, and interests will typically be affirmed by those around us who love us, such as parents, church leadership, close friends, maybe even a teacher or two at school, or a supervisor at work. As you step out into this next chapter, take time to reflect on the skills you've developed and the passions God has stirred in your heart. They often point to the doors He may open for you.
Besides physical talents, we also have spiritual gifts. These spiritual gifts are some of the tools we need to step into the plans He has for us and be involved at church and/or some other Christian organization. We can find out what our spiritual gifts are by taking a spiritual gifts test. One really good one can be found at Lifeway.com. No matter where your career takes you after graduation, God's ultimate calling for your life is to bring Him glory and serve others—and your spiritual gifts will help you do exactly that.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Stanley Morales
Originally published June 17, 2025.
