“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.’”
–Louise Haskins

Makes me wonder what I am heading into day with: a light or a Hand.

So many times I head out into the day with a road map of where I am to go, who I am to meet and where I need to be when. And yet, when I look back at my days, the one that give me goosebumps seem to be where I was able to set all that pre-planned stuff aside and go where God was calling me. As my own boss, I have that ability more than most, and it is perhaps the single most thing I cherish about working for myself.

For example, last week I was able to go visit my friend Lisa as she was setting up her classroom for the coming year. It wasn’t on my schedule, but as I was driving in my car God put it on my heart to go. She was so thankful.

Having a light or map or plan is good, but be trusting in where God may lead you with subtle inklings, or loud bangs. He may lead you in a different direction. Often those journeys for me are more rewarding than when I rely on my own plan. Plans are good though, because God will bless those too because you could be going right where God will use you. It’s really cool when those affirmations come, too.