Endless Worth: Seeking God’s Purpose in a Success-Obsessed WorldSample

Day 3: Stepping Stones

‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’ (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God doesn’t want us to fail.

God wants us to prosper.

Sometimes in our spiritual lives, and in our careers, things can start to feel as if we’re either going backward or nowhere at all. When I returned from a period of traveling in 2023, I decided to pursue a career as a freelance editor and proofreader, but I only got one or two jobs in about three months. At first, I was spiraling; I worked hard to find clients but never gained results. Eventually, when I allowed God to bring my head above water, I was reminded of these verses in Proverbs. That I should trust God and he’ll make the paths straight. Little did I know that period was a stepping stone in both my career and spiritual development.

Everything we experience can be used by God for us to step across the raging river of worldly expectations, disappointments, and pressures. And often, on the other side, there’s something even better than we could have imagined for ourselves.

Remember Joseph, who was sold by his own brothers into slavery and rose to acclaim in Potiphar’s household, only to be thrown into prison for an act he didn’t commit and left there for two years. But Joseph never faltered in acknowledging God through the hardships that eventually turned out to be stepping stones; he gained power in Egypt and facilitated the provision for many families caught in famine, including his own.

Don’t spiral, trust God and embrace each stepping stone.

Prayer

God, I know you’re working all things out for me. I’m sorry that I can grow impatient and I repent of not trusting you. I recommit each step of my journey over to you today and I trust you with it. Thank you for your grace.

Key takeaway

If you’re in the middle of the stress of your current stepping stone, get into God’s Word and pray about it specifically. Let God minister to you in how he wants to guide you.