Direction > Drift - Week 1

Week 1 Recap:

Follow The Lead

Introduction

Life often feels like a blur, fast-moving, full of distractions, and packed with opinions pulling us in every direction. The world says, “Follow your heart.” Yet when we do, we often find ourselves lost in circles, confused, and wondering how we drifted so far. True direction does not come from emotion; it comes from devotion. When we stop trying to steer every part of our journey and choose to let God lead, everything begins to align.

The Illusion of Control

Every day, we stand at a crossroads called control or trust. The road of control appears smooth and easy at first. It promises comfort, confidence, and success, but it quickly fills with confusion because it depends on our limited view. The road of trust looks narrow and uncertain, yet it is the path of peace and purpose. God does not just give directions for the path. He is the path. When we follow His lead, confusion turns into clarity and chaos turns into calm.

Recognizing the Drift

Drift rarely feels sudden or dramatic. It is quiet, gradual, and often comfortable. Like floating on a raft in the ocean, we barely notice when the current pulls us far from where we started. We drift in our priorities, our marriages, and our faith. It does not happen because we plan to wander. It happens because we stop paying attention to our lead. If we are not intentionally following God’s direction, we are unintentionally following our own. Drift begins the moment we trust our own understanding instead of His.

Proverbs 3: 5–6 gives us three actions that keep us on course:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Lean not on your own understanding.
Submit to Him in all your ways.

Trust gives us direction. Leaning not on our own understanding gives us correction. Submitting to God creates connection. Trusting God is like sitting in a strong chair. You rest your full weight without hesitation because you know it will hold you. Submission is not weakness. It is alignment. When we walk in rhythm with God, our steps become steady, and the dance of life becomes something beautiful.

Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice

The problem is not that God stops speaking. The problem is that we sometimes move too far to hear Him clearly. It is like losing signal on a phone when we walk out of range. The solution is not to shout louder but to move closer. In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” The more time we spend with Him, the easier His voice becomes to recognize. The Shepherd leads at a pace that grows us, guiding us through the valleys and into green pastures. Staying close to His voice brings both comfort and confidence.

Purpose in the Path

When Proverbs says God will make our paths straight, it does not mean the road will be short or simple. It means the road will be purposeful. Even detours have meaning. Every valley, every delay, and every unexpected turn builds something inside of us. Sometimes God reroutes us not to punish us but to prepare us. Direction flows from devotion, and even when life feels uncertain, His hand is steady on the wheel. The key is surrender. It means opening our hands and saying, “God, I am done steering. You drive.”

Closing

All of us drift at times, but God never abandons us in the current. The moment we say, “Lead me,” His grace begins to guide us back. Life is not about controlling every outcome. It is about trusting the One who already knows the way. You can plan your steps, but only God can steady them. Today, loosen your grip, open your hands, and let go of the wheel. The safest place you can ever be is in His direction, not your own.