“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23, KJV.
Growing up, my dad taught me how to play chess. I’m still an amateur, but I loved spending time with him, so I would sit across the board for hours knowing I had little chance of winning. No matter how many moves ahead I tried to think, he was always several steps ahead of me.
Our relationship with God is much the same. We often map out our future with personal goals, timelines, and carefully crafted plans. Yet God’s purpose for our lives extends far beyond anything we could imagine. While we see only the next move, He sees the entire board.
We journey through life one step at a time, but God stands outside of time altogether. He knows the end from the beginning. His wisdom is incomparable to ours. He sees where every decision leads and understands whether the path before us will strengthen or hinder our spiritual growth. This is why He sometimes asks us to step out in faith, change direction, wait patiently, or accept an answer we do not understand.
The Detriment of “What If”
Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why, God?” or “What are You trying to accomplish through this situation?”
If we’re honest, many of us desire God’s will until we begin to consider the possible cost. What if the path is lonely? What if it involves disappointment? What if it leads through a season of pain?
The enemy often uses “what if” to create doubt where God is calling for faith. Those two simple words can become barriers that keep us from embracing God’s perfect plan. While fear imagines every possible negative outcome, faith chooses to trust the One who already knows the outcome.
My flesh often hesitates when God nudges me toward unfamiliar territory, but my spirit quietly reminds me, Trust Him. He knows what He’s doing.
God Is a Master Strategist
One thing is certain: God desires to lead His children. Even when we make mistakes, take wrong turns, or move a piece we shouldn’t have moved, He is not caught off guard. Our God is a Master Strategist. He knows how to redeem our failures, redirect our steps, and guide us toward His purpose.
When you cannot see beyond your next move, remember that God already sees the endgame. He is working with wisdom, precision, and love. Your responsibility is not to know every move ahead, it is simply to trust the One who does.
