Trusting Him with an unexpected turn.
A devotional shared by Mikala W.
Meet Mikala! Mikala is a former educator with a heart for helping others grow and discover their potential. Today, she serves as Executive Assistant to our pastors at City Church Chicago, where she and her husband, Kenny, also lead Student Ministries together.
With a background in teaching math and science, Mikala has always been passionate about investing in the next generation. After graduating from Miami University, she began her teaching career in Chicago, working with elementary and middle school students. Her love for teaching and mentoring continues to shape the way she serves in ministry today.
SCRIPTURE
Proverbs 16:9
"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps."
Today’s Encouragement
From a young age, we're encouraged to make plans. What do you want to be when you grow up? What will you do after graduation? What's next?
Before we know it, we're planning our careers, families, futures, and even the smallest details of our everyday lives. And planning isn't a bad thing! The challenge comes when we hold so tightly to our plans that we leave little room for God to lead us somewhere different.
When I started college, I had a goal of becoming a four-year varsity cheerleader. I made the team my freshman year and was determined to finish what I'd started. But even then, I felt a prompting that perhaps God was leading me away from cheerleading. I ignored it because so much of my identity had become wrapped up in being a cheerleader.
Over time, that decision led me through some difficult experiences, including an abusive relationship. But near the end of my senior year, God provided an opportunity for me to walk away.
Choosing to leave meant giving up the senior-year recognition I'd worked toward for so long. But what I gained was far more valuable. My relationship with Jesus deepened, my identity began to change, and I discovered a new sense of purpose and joy in Him.
Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that while we can make plans, the Lord establishes our steps. God sees more than the destination we're trying to reach. He cares about our hearts, our growth, and who we're becoming along the way.
One image that has stayed with me is the difference between open and closed hands. When we hold something tightly, it can be painful to release it. But when we hold our plans with open hands, we're acknowledging that God can lead us in ways we never expected.
Maybe there's something in your life that isn't unfolding the way you imagined. Perhaps a door has closed, your timeline has changed, or you sense God leading you in a direction you hadn't planned.
You don't have to stop planning or dreaming. But you can invite Jesus into those plans and remain open to His direction.
Our purpose is greater than our plans. And sometimes, the unexpected turn becomes an opportunity to discover more of who we are in Christ.
A Moment to Reflect
Is there a plan, expectation, or part of your future that you've been holding tightly? What would it look like to surrender it to Jesus and trust Him with your next steps?
Closing Prayer
Father God,
Thank You so much for being a God who cares for us. Lord, we thank You that You determine our steps. We thank You that You are a God who is far more concerned with our purpose than our planning.
So, Lord, we invite You into our plans this week. We invite You into our lives. And Lord, we just pray that our hands are open to how You want to move in our lives.
We thank You so much, Jesus, for who You are and how You love us.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
