The Winding Path
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9
Our journey with God is not always linear. It’s easy to think that once we start following Christ, everything will move smoothly from bad to good on a straight path. But in reality, our walk with God often looks more like a winding road with unexpected turns, detours, and sometimes even setbacks.
Take the life of Moses as a prime example. Moses’ journey with God was anything but straightforward. Born a Hebrew slave and raised in Pharaoh’s palace, his life took a dramatic turn when he killed an Egyptian and fled to the desert. For forty years, Moses lived in obscurity as a shepherd. It must have seemed like his life had taken a permanent detour.
Then, God called Moses from a burning bush to return to Egypt and lead His people out of slavery. Even then, the journey wasn’t straightforward. Moses faced Pharaoh’s stubbornness, the Ten Plagues, the initial refusal of the Israelites to follow him, and finally, forty more years of wandering in the wilderness because of the people's disobedience. Each step was marked by challenges and delays, yet each was part of God’s grand plan.
Like Moses, your journey with God will have twists and turns. You might feel like you’re wandering in the wilderness, far from where you thought you’d be. You might face obstacles that seem insurmountable or delays that test your patience. But remember, God is with you in every step. He is not just leading you to a destination; He is shaping you along the way.
In Proverbs 16:9, we’re reminded that while we make our plans, it is the Lord who establishes our steps. This means that our detours and delays are not wasted. They are divinely orchestrated parts of our journey. God uses every twist and turn to teach us, to grow our faith, and to prepare us for what lies ahead.
If you find yourself on a winding path, take heart. God is in control. Your journey is not just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about becoming the person God created you to be. Embrace the unexpected, trust in His timing, and know that He is leading you with purpose and love. Your path may not be linear, but it is exactly the path you need to be on to fulfill God’s perfect plan for your life.
Our journey with God is not always linear. It’s easy to think that once we start following Christ, everything will move smoothly from bad to good on a straight path. But in reality, our walk with God often looks more like a winding road with unexpected turns, detours, and sometimes even setbacks.
Take the life of Moses as a prime example. Moses’ journey with God was anything but straightforward. Born a Hebrew slave and raised in Pharaoh’s palace, his life took a dramatic turn when he killed an Egyptian and fled to the desert. For forty years, Moses lived in obscurity as a shepherd. It must have seemed like his life had taken a permanent detour.
Then, God called Moses from a burning bush to return to Egypt and lead His people out of slavery. Even then, the journey wasn’t straightforward. Moses faced Pharaoh’s stubbornness, the Ten Plagues, the initial refusal of the Israelites to follow him, and finally, forty more years of wandering in the wilderness because of the people's disobedience. Each step was marked by challenges and delays, yet each was part of God’s grand plan.
Like Moses, your journey with God will have twists and turns. You might feel like you’re wandering in the wilderness, far from where you thought you’d be. You might face obstacles that seem insurmountable or delays that test your patience. But remember, God is with you in every step. He is not just leading you to a destination; He is shaping you along the way.
In Proverbs 16:9, we’re reminded that while we make our plans, it is the Lord who establishes our steps. This means that our detours and delays are not wasted. They are divinely orchestrated parts of our journey. God uses every twist and turn to teach us, to grow our faith, and to prepare us for what lies ahead.
If you find yourself on a winding path, take heart. God is in control. Your journey is not just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about becoming the person God created you to be. Embrace the unexpected, trust in His timing, and know that He is leading you with purpose and love. Your path may not be linear, but it is exactly the path you need to be on to fulfill God’s perfect plan for your life.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
1 Comment
What a blessing this devotional was! The Bible Studies at my church has us focused on becoming what God wants us to be! Thank you Lord for confirming this word!