Blog #40: Knowing When It's Time...

Change is the only constant in life - Heraclitus. I don't know much about him, but apparently, he was onto something. Whether he was frustrated by change, trying to understand it, or helping others navigate it, what I do know is that he was right.

Life changes.

I've tried to help others become more comfortable with change. Given where we are in society, the political landscape, technological advances, and even the changing of the guard as folks get older and leadership transitions happen. Change isn't coming someday. It's already here. People, however, do not like change.

And sometimes, regardless of how much you prepare for it, you still may not recognize when it's time to shift.

In a recent conversation, a co-worker said to me, I thought we agreed these dates worked and we adjusted project plans and schedules accordingly.

My response was simple: That was almost eight months ago. We're in a completely different situation now. We've had project delays, staffing changes, and new realities to navigate. So we had to adjust.

The plan wasn't wrong. The situation changed.

Then fast forward, I had an opportunity to adjust but almost missed it. Not because it wasn't a good opportunity, but because it wasn't in my plan. I worried about what people would think. I had a little fear of the unknown. I was comfortable where I was. And if I'm being honest, I like being in control of my own timeline. I was then reminded of Proverbs 16:9.

Now, Proverbs 16 starts right off reminding us who's really in control. Throughout the chapter, Solomon keeps coming back to this tension between our plans and God's sovereignty. Not because planning is wrong, but because planning without surrender is. He reminds us that "people may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives" (v.2). Then he says, "Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed" (v.3). Then comes verse 9: "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."

Notice what Solomon doesn't say. 

He doesn't say believers shouldn't plan.

He doesn't say ambition is bad or that having goals somehow means you lack faith. 

He assumes we'll make plans.

The real question is whether we've held those plans loosely enough for God to change them.

A lot of times when people teach this text, the implication is that we've done something wrong, so God has to redirect us back onto the right path. I want to come from a different angle.

As believers, and if we are truly followers of Christ, it is our responsibility to work hard to align our wills with God's will. Paul writes in Romans 12:2 that we should "be transformed by the renewing of our minds" so that we can discern God's will. Jesus tells us in John 15 to "abide in Him" and remain connected to the vine. So if we've done that, if we've been abiding in Christ and allowing Him to shape our desires and direction, then perhaps the plans we've made along the way aren't evidence of failure at all.

Perhaps they're simply steps. 

Steps toward the purpose He has for us.

It's not that we've had missteps. We're simply taking steps.

And in the case that we do have missteps, scripture still reminds us that "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

So, if we've been abiding in Christ, if we've committed our plans to Him, if we say we trust the process and trust His plan, then why is it so hard to make the next move?

• We get too comfortable.

• We don't see the larger vision.

• We worry about what others think.

• We'd rather be in control.

• Pride convinces us that our timeline is better than God's timeline.

So how do we know when it's time to move?

• Prayer, obviously.

• Consulting with trusted spiritual friends and advisors.

• Paying attention to the ways God may be confirming direction and opening doors.

• Taking a step back to see the bigger picture — both where God has brought us from and where He may be leading us next.

• Looking for alignment between opportunity, gifting, timing, and purpose.

The old saying "best laid plans" has never felt more relevant to me than it does now. We can have it all planned out. The timelines. The milestones. The next five years.

But when God says move, it's time to move.

And we have to trust His plan, His timeline, and His purpose. Jeremiah reminds us that God knows the plans He has for us. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.

So don't miss it because you're asking too many questions. Don't miss it because you're waiting for perfect clarity. Don't miss it because it wasn't part of your original plan.

Faith looks like taking the next step, even when you don't have all the answers. Because while we make our plans, the Lord determines our steps.

And He will let us know when it's time to move....

Stay faithful | Stay disciplined | Stay aligned

Live Blurred,

ZeNai

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Reflection

• Where in my life am I resisting change simply because it wasn't part of my original plan?

  
  

• Am I seeking God's direction or merely asking God to bless my direction?

  
  

• What fears are keeping me from taking the next step?

  
  

• What trusted voices should I invite into my discernment process?

  
  

• If God is saying move, what is my next faithful step?

  
  

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