Graduation season is upon us, and I see many people gifting the book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. My children loved how the book talked about all the amazing adventures you’ll embark on during life. I think we all love to dream about such magical adventures, but most of the time life gets busy, and those dreams fade away. What if the greatest journey isn’t about where we choose to go, but where God leads us?
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (NIV).
I think many of us fear where God might lead us if we followed him. Years ago, a friend confessed she worried God might call her to preach the Gospel in a polka-dot bathing suit on a beach somewhere. She used this exaggerated illustration, but the fear was real. We crave the adventure of following God without the work or hardship that might go along with it. Imagine if the disciples had stayed where it was safe, the Gospel would never have spread.
Go Places on an Adventure
As a child, I never imagined the places God would take me if I simply kept saying yes. In those early days, I heard God whisper, “Oh, the places we’ll go if you follow where I lead.” I took him at his word, and God led me on amazing adventures to far-away lands, meeting hundreds of incredible people and witnessing stories that changed my faith forever. The road with God is rarely predictable, but it is always purposeful.
Where might God be calling you to go?
God’s Calling to Go Places
The Bible provides many examples of individuals who trusted and followed God’s direction to go. They soon learned that it did not come without uncertainty or challenging situations. Some key examples include Abraham leaving his homeland, Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and Esther risking her life to save her people. Each of these people risked much to follow the call, and we see a common theme in their obedience:
- Trust in the Unknown: Many of these individuals went to places they did not know or faced challenges without knowing the outcome.
- Obedience Over Fear: Esther and Gideon acted despite fear, trusting that God’s presence was with them.
- Divine Timing: God often led people to act at crucial moments to alter the course of history.
- Providence in Daily Life: God often guides people while they are engaged in their ordinary work or facing difficult situations.
Their obedience in the calling took them on incredible adventures that they never expected, and we still talk about in churches today.
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” Isaiah 6:8 (NIV).
Sometimes the most important journey isn’t across the world, but across the distance between fear and trust.
Where will you Go?
We often make detailed life plans, but God invites us into places we never imagined. God’s plans are so much bigger than anything we might imagine. Sometimes, those places might be situations he wants us to experience instead of physical locations. God also wants to take us to:
- A place of healing.
- A place of surrender.
- Places of courage.
- And places of forgiveness.
- Places of ministry.
Where is God leading you, and will you trust him enough to go to those places?
You may never know all the places God could take you until you take the first faithful step.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being a God who leads us beyond the limits of our own plans and imagination. We cling to comfort, familiarity, and certainty, yet You call us to trust You one step at a time.
Give us hearts willing to follow wherever You lead. When fear whispers that the road is too uncertain, remind us that Your presence goes before us. Open our eyes to the places You want to take us, not only across the world, but deeper into faith, compassion, courage, and obedience.
Help us say yes even when we do not see the whole path. Use our lives to bring hope, love, and the light of Christ to others along the journey. May we never miss the blessings, purpose, and growth You have prepared because we were too afraid to follow.
Guide our steps, strengthen our faith, and teach us to trust that every place You lead is held safely in Your hands. Amen.
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Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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I’m thankful that God calls each of His children to use the gifts given by Him. Our gifts may change from moment to moment. God knows what is needed in every situation. I pray that I will listen and hear the calling God has for my life. Have a blessed day! 🙂
So true Melissa. He does know what we need. Blessings
I like your fresh take on this popular Dr. Seuss book! My prayer — Lord, give me the courage to say yes even when I can’t see the whole path.
That’s a wonderful prayer. Thanks for sharing Candace. Blessings
I appreciate Candace’s comment. Right now I’m not seeing the whole path either, and I’m praying for courage and faith to say yes–while also praying for God’s wisdom and discernment, and the patience to wait for His timing. Thank you for this thought provoking message, Yvonne.
Thanks Katherine. Praying along with you. Blessings
Love this so much, Yvonne! I can only imagine where I’ll go with the Lord as my head. I can only imagine the wonders of heaven, too!
Me too Jessica. But I do know it will be wonderful. Blessings