Fiona and I have faced similar questions over the past few years.

Beginning of 2021, Fiona and I joined a ministry called 3H School, aiming to support families working overseas through online Christian education. We asked ourselves, what could we do that might reflect our willingness to serve in this area? We decided to downsize our financial footprint and move to the South Island.

Following our decision to move south, a series of events fell into place very quickly: our land agent found us a plot of land in Leeston, we sold our house privately to a friend’s son, and our children (Abi and Ethan) were accepted into Rolleston Christian school. Lastly, just before our move and with no rental in sight, a friend found us a home at a very affordable price. We were excited and confident that God’s hand was in these arrangements!

Or so we thought…

Not long after our move, 3H School folded. We were left wondering, did we hear right? We felt like our vision was uncertain, and we were drifting far from where we wanted to be. There were a lot of unanswered questions and frustration.

God sometimes has a different plan. After all, His ways are not ours. Before I reveal the end of our story, it made me reflect on some questions not unique to me, but to everyone at some point:

• How can we be sure which way God might be leading us?
• If multiple options are in front of us, how do we choose?
• If God is quiet on a matter, should we move or stay? Green light or red?

I explored some stories from the Bible where people were faced with big decisions, and how God walked with them:

When God calls us – Noah and Jonah: Genesis 8:15

Jonah was a little different from Noah. Jonah did hear clearly but chose a different road. For Jonah, it meant a life adjustment in the belly of a fish:

Lessons: What can we learn?

• We may face hardships along the way. Noah obeyed despite the hardships and ridicule he must have endured.
• We don’t have to be perfect or have things in the right order. Noah was not perfect, but he continued to obey God.
• Do what God tells us to do, even if it doesn’t make sense, and even when others don’t understand.
• If we make mistakes or become distracted from the path, God can and will remind us of where we should be heading.
• Hearing God is natural for people who walk with God. Noah walked with God (Genesis 6:10), so he was in tune with the Lord’s plans.

When the Spirit prompts us to move – Esther: Esther 4:15

Lessons: What can we learn?

• Have faith to obey, no matter to consequences. We may not face a situation as Esther, but sometimes we walk in dark places. How BIG is God? Do we have the faith to move forward?
• Approach God first before proceeding. Esther spent time in prayer for three days before beginning her discussions. I am sure she prayed deeply and earnestly.
• Inviting others to pray alongside you or provide wise counsel when the path is not clear.
• Hearing God is not the same as hearing a person. God talks to us in many ways: other people, circumstances, the Spirit or the Word. We should be open to all possibilities.

There could be times when:

Opportunities may be in front of us, but we are unsure, or fear grips us – Jacob, Isaac and Abraham: Genesis 46:3

Jacob did not want to go to Egypt because of his age. He was around 130 years old. God also told Isaac not to go to Egypt (even though he did), but to go to a land He would show him. Abraham lied about his wife being his sister, causing problems, and not to mention a word about his descendants being slaves in a foreign land for 400 years. Talk about a rock and a hard place!

Lessons: What can we learn?

• The Holy Spirit may prompt us. We should always check if these ‘feelings’ and ensure they align with the Word.  Seeking wise counsel is helpful when making big decisions.
• Reading through a portion of related scripture. The Word can guide us. We cannot know the voice of God if we don’t read His Word. Know God’s voice by knowing him. We learn to listen by experience.
• God may align events or situations, allowing you to pass through situations where you see no options. Or God may leave all the options open and let you make the choice, provided the decision is in obedience with His will.
• God may bring others into your life to help. Look out for that helping hand. The Church is a body. We are meant to work together.

Sometimes it helps to:

Ask for confirmation – Gideon: Judges 6:39

We may want to ask more than once.

Lessons: What can we learn?

• It takes faith to obey. God is merciful and knows we are human. Ask for confirmation. It’s ok.
• God may bless you, but may also bless your descendants and the people in your life. That is worth walking in faith.

When God is silent:

Sometimes God may not respond or direct us. There would be many reasons, and some we may never understand in this lifetime. Some thoughts on this:

• Perhaps He has pulled back due to sin in our lives, or He needs our attention.
• We simply are not ready for what He has planned for us.
• We are in a desert space where we need pride and self-reliance stripped away from us, or to stop our grumbling!
• God is allowing us to make the decision. Either way, He can work with the situation. Sometimes, He might leave us with tension in our hearts, causing us to seek Him for direction or search the Word for answers.
• If God is silent, perhaps God wants us to be faithful in our current circumstances.

What do I take from this?

We should not fear.  (Matthew 10:28)

We should not stress about our decisions or let our feelings lead us. (Philippians 4:6)

God is in the moments when we are unsure.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The important thing is we keep close to our Lord, and he will direct our paths:

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Finally, hearing God might not happen immediately. It can take a while for some of us to tune into His voice. Being patient with ourselves and keeping practising. God will reward your diligence.

You may wonder at this point what happened to the end of our story?

God opened new doors for us. Fiona is now leading the mission team at church. Our home is complete, and we are making connections locally. We now lead the Communications and Media role for SIM NZ.

I am also allowed to work full time in my current ‘marketplace’ job with permission from my boss to do SIM work when the need arises. Something I could not have arranged myself.

Can we agree that God is good and does open doors?