Reflection 65: When God Opens Doors: Trusting the Path You Didn’t Plan

God opens doors in our lives for a reason. The challenge is learning to trust Him enough to walk through them.

Over the past year and a half, I have been stretched in this area more than ever before. Letting go of my own plans and fully trusting God’s direction has not come easily. But I have learned that when I do, life becomes lighter—less stressful, less anxious, and far more meaningful.

God does not ask for partial trust. He asks for surrender.

For a long time, I held tightly to my own goals. I had a vision for my career, milestones I wanted to reach, and a timeline I felt I needed to follow. As I approached 30, I started to feel the pressure. I was not where I thought I would be, and it became clear that my current job was not going to take me where I hoped to go.

So I began searching. I prayed more. I reflected more. I tried to listen.

At first, I missed the signs. It took repeated confirmations—moments where it became undeniable—that it was time to move on. And when I finally accepted that, a new opportunity opened up.

It was exactly what I had once hoped for.

But even then, I hesitated.

It is one thing to pray for direction. It is another thing to act on it.

With encouragement from my wife, I took the step. And stepping into that new role opened my eyes in ways I did not expect. I encountered challenges, tension, and situations that forced me to grow. At first, I questioned why God would lead me into something so difficult.

But over time, I began to see it differently.

This was not a mistake. It was preparation.

God was teaching me how to navigate complex environments. How to respond with wisdom instead of reaction. How to better understand the systems and people I would encounter in my career.

And just as I began to grasp those lessons, another door opened.

A new opportunity. A new direction. A new chapter.

If I had not taken that first step of faith, I would not have been ready for this next one.

Through all of this, one thing has become clear: my work is not just about career advancement. It is about service. I want to serve people well. I want to contribute to communities in a way that respects their needs and dignity. And at times, that can feel complicated—especially when different interests are pulling in different directions.

But I have found peace in this: if I am trusting God and seeking Him first, He will guide my actions.

I may not always know the full picture. I may not always understand the “why” in the moment. But I can trust that He does.

I am not going to change the world overnight. But I can be faithful in the place He has put me.

And sometimes, that begins with something as simple—and as difficult—as walking through the door He opened.