People say life is about risk-taking. You never know what big break your next risk-taking will lead you to. But sometimes, that may prove the exact reason why it is called a risk. And let’s be honest with ourselves, gambling your way through every decision of life can be exhausting. If only there were a cheat code. Wait, what if I told you that there actually is a cheat code to life (and everything else), and that is God’s guidance. Life is a bit more predictable when you let God lead you.
I say this because of what Jeremiah 29:11 tells us. Here, God Himself speaks and says He has plans for a future and a hope, not plans of evil. Your gamble could result in something good or something evil, but following the path God has carved out for you always ends in good. No one has your best interests at heart better than the God who gave Himself for you before you even knew you needed it (Rom. 5:8).
Why should you let God lead?
One of the very names of God expresses His role as a guide and leader: the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11-14). The “good” here tells us that there are “bad” shepherds as well. Probably the type of shepherds that would lead their flock into danger or abandon them at the first sign of threat. In contrast, God never forsakes His own.
Psalm 23 beautifully illustrates this truth: “He leads me beside still waters… though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” To let God lead is to entrust your life to One who knows the safest paths, provides for every need, and remains present even in life’s darkest valleys. Unlike other guides that may falter, the Lord is faithful and constant, ensuring that those who follow Him lack nothing essential for their journey. He is ever-present and with you every step of the way.
In life, particularly when you’re going into a new phase—for instance, you just graduated from school, or moved to a different country—there’s a high chance that you let happenings or emotions inform your decisions. While it’s only natural, these influences are temporary and often unreliable. They don’t necessarily determine what is best for you in that moment and in the long run.
A perfect example would be Abraham and Sarah, who had waited for so long to have their own child, but it was not forthcoming. So, without God’s leading, they did what they believed was the solution to the problem. This only ended up compounding matters (Gen. 16). Likewise, Rebekah, who set her favorite son up for blessings, without God’s leading. Unfortunately, this caused a huge rift between the brothers, and it took decades for it to be resolved (Gen. 27, 33).
The saying goes, No one knows tomorrow. Humans are generally near-sighted. When we make decisions based on our limited insight and knowledge, we often create problems for ourselves. It is a good thing to let God guide you because He is all-knowing. He knows the beginning from the end and knows the best course of action for our lives (Isa. 46:10). Regardless of what we plan in our hearts, He is the one who establishes those steps (Pro. 16:9). What you feel is the best decision to make may turn out to be the worst mistake ever (Pro. 14:12). Allowing Him to take the lead is not just a display of faith but wisdom as well. (Pro. 3:5-6)
How to allow God to lead?
There is only one thing to do to show God that you are committed to His leadership, and that is submission. For any team to make progress, the members must yield to the directions of their leader. There is no point in asking God to lead you if you can’t be humble before Him. The moment you assume you know better or you can do it better, you are no longer letting Him lead.
You must be able to submit to His will and acknowledge what He says in Jeremiah 29:11, that His plans are for good. At times, you may wonder, “Why is God not letting me do what others are doing? Why is He letting me miss out on this opportunity?”. In those moments, it is important to remember that God sees what you cannot. What may look like a missed chance could actually be His protection or redirection toward something better. Trust Him to lead you to exactly what is best for you, in His perfect timing.
You must yield to the Holy Spirit and the word of God. The church’s progress, particularly in the early days, didn’t come out of nowhere. It was (and still is) piloted by the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and the word of God remains a lamp to our feet, guiding us through every situation of life (Ps. 119:105).
Letting God lead is the wisest choice you can make, because His guidance is rooted in love, foresight, and perfect knowledge of your future. When you surrender your plans to Him, you exchange uncertainty for assurance.
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