It was the middle of the night, on a recent vacation with my wife, Deb. I woke up in our room at the resort, needing to go to the bathroom. Sorry if this is TMI, but it’s part of the story. The room was totally black with darkness, as the hotel drapes did a great job of preventing light. I fumbled around in the dark until I found the bathroom door but couldn’t find the light switch. Bummer. I remembered the toilet was at far side of the bathroom, so I decided to walk into the dark bathroom, hoping to find another light switch near the toilet. With my first step into the darkness, lights at the base of the floor began to light up, and with each step I took, more light came on, lighting my path the full length of the bathroom. My path was now perfectly clear.

Do you ever feel uncertain about what you should be doing? We all do, and it sometimes happens when we least expect it.

In the first half of my career, I was blessed with over two decades where I felt confident that I was with the right organization, and I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. Then, I began to think it was time to move on, but I was uncertain what to do next. I searched but hesitated because I liked where I was and I can admit to it now, that I was “comfortable.” Then, unexpectedly, my job was eliminated. Suddenly, the path that had seemed so certain, was uncertain.

I searched for a new opportunity, but I couldn’t find the right match. I felt lost, uncertain about my next step.

Then, I took a step of faith, I started my own consulting practice. At the beginning, I wondered if I made the right decision, as things don’t happen overnight. But then, God began opening doors and providing opportunities. My path suddenly looked clear again; I could see where I was going.

Then, years later, the unexpected happened again, and of course years later, it happened again. You see we will have troubles and challenges in this world, but he’s there for us.

What I’ve learned in my life about faith, is that it requires me to act. I can’t say I have faith, that I trust in God, and sit still. I need to seek his wisdom first, it starts there.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Then, it’s up to me to take “steps of faith”, trusting him to direct my steps once I’m started. I’m not perfect, and sometimes my steps aren’t in the right direction, but whenever I act and trust him, he directs me.

What about you these days? Are you stuck and uncertain what to do? Are you holding on to what is comfortable? Trust me, you aren’t alone.

The New Year is just around the corner. I don’t know what God’s plans are for you in the coming year, but I know if you can’t see your path, talk to him, seek His counsel, then take steps of faith and he’ll light your path.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1