Welcome to my new four-week series for this month, Exploring God’s Path for Your Life.
Have you ever wondered where you are on the path God has for your life? I’ve wondered about this in the past, and I’m still navigating the way with God’s help. The psalms have helped me learn what path God wants me to choose. For the next four weeks, we’ll look at what God tells us about life paths in the Psalms.
In the summer of 2016, I prayed fervently for God to show me the path He wanted me to take. My job had become terribly stressful. The school where I worked had grown, and I could no longer bear the heavy workload alone. The school board needed to vote on whether another secretary would be hired. Weeks passed, and they still hadn’t made a decision.
The path forward seemed so unclear. Should I look for another job while I wait, just in case? Should I wait without taking any action? I turned to the psalms daily in search of direction and peace.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.
Psalm 5:8 NLT
I felt like God had led me to that job. I also felt like he had called me to be a writer, but I didn’t know if it was time to make the leap. Morning and night, I pleaded with God to lead me and show me which way to turn.
In late summer, I finally got my answer. The board voted to hire another secretary, and I saw that as a sign to stay. God blessed me with a wonderful new friendship as I got to know the new secretary. After school began, however, I still had a nagging sense of not knowing whether I was on the path God wanted for me.
Even though my workload had been cut in half, I still felt drained and grouchy every day after work. I still felt like an introvert in an extrovert’s world. Pouring myself into my blog helped me cope. From a young age I had dreamed of being a writer, and I kept wondering, “Does God want me to pursue my dream now, or keep waiting?”
Does God want you to pursue your dream now, or keep waiting? #dreams #chasingdreams Click To TweetExploring God’s Path in the Psalms
Again I searched the book Psalms for direction. One of my favorite psalms brought affirmation and comfort:
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
One day last fall, the entire school was in the gym for an assembly. I was the only one left in the office to answer the phones. A sense of peace flooded me, which never happened otherwise at work. Everyone else in the school was in the gym, having loud and happy fun. Yet I was content in the pin-drop quiet office. That’s when I realized I was in the wrong place; schools are not quiet places to work!
I realized God had created me to be quiet, thoughtful, and reflective. He designed me that way, and I was fighting my own God-given design by staying in a busy, noisy, constantly stimulating environment.
These tools have helped me when exploring God’s path for my life:
16 Personalities Test: This free test unlocked so many hidden truths about myself. I highly recommend it. I’m an INFJ, the rarest type. How I wish I had known that in high school, when I always felt unusual. Yet God created me that way, and calls me fearfully and wonderfully made.
Quiet
The Purpose Driven Life: Rick Warren’s SHAPE model helped me understand that even my hurt
Spiritual Gifts Test: Another free test that helps me understand how God shapes me for service. My top gifts are knowledge, wisdom, and faith–what are yours?
Online tools for understanding the path God designed for you. #personalitytest #spiritualgifts Click To TweetWhen I used these tools to gain understanding of God’s masterful design, I wasn’t afraid to take the leap anymore. In May 2017 I quit my job and began a new career. Now I work full time from home as a writer and artist. I knew God created me to live the creative life, and I’m now happier than I’ve ever been.
I love the picture this psalm paints:
The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 NLT
God was leading me along a path last year, like I led my children by the hand when they were learning to walk. He continues to direct my steps and delight in every turn of my path.
Questions for exploring God’s path for your life:
- How has a personality test, or a spiritual gifts test, helped you appreciate the way God designed you?
- When you look at God’s design for your life, does the path you’re currently walking match that design? Why or why not?
- If you’re looking for a new path, what do these psalms teach you?
If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!
This post may be linked up at these linkups.
If you make a purchase through the provided links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for supporting my writing ministry!
My weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays is delivered at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday. I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.
To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!