Monday Memo 1260: If You Want More, Do More

One of the most common requests I hear from people is, "I wish God would speak to me." Some want Him to appear in a dream or an audible voice or a dramatic supernatural experience that removes all doubt about what they should do next. They assume that if God would simply make His will unmistakably clear, they would gladly obey.

Paul certainly experienced God's supernatural guidance. Scripture records six significant occasions when God revealed Himself to Paul through a vision, dream, or supernatural visitation: the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-9), the Macedonian vision (Acts 16:9-10), encouragement in Corinth (Acts 18:9-11), the vision in the Jerusalem temple (Acts 22:17-21), the Lord's assurance after his arrest (Acts 23:11), and the angel's appearance during the storm at sea (Acts 27:23-24).

Every one of those encounters was connected to Paul's purpose. They revealed his assignment, directed his next step, encouraged him to persevere, confirmed his calling, or assured him that God was still with him.

Notice something else. Those encounters didn't happen while Paul was sitting quietly asking God for another vision. They came while he was preaching, traveling, suffering, leading, planting churches, standing before hostile authorities, or enduring storms at sea. Paul was already moving.

Many people want extraordinary guidance before they take the first step. Paul usually received extraordinary guidance after he had already taken many faithful steps. God entrusted him with greater revelation because Paul faithfully acted on what God had already revealed. In a sense, Paul earned the encouragement and revelation God gave him. That is why Proverbs 16:9 has become one of my favorite verses:

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

Notice that God directs our steps, not our intentions. A person standing still doesn't take steps. Direction assumes movement. Another verse says,

"The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day" (Proverbs 4:18).

Over the years I've watched many people postpone purpose because they were waiting for another confirmation. Or they craved encouragement even though they weren't acting on what God had revealed for them to do. They believed one more sign, one more prophecy, one more dream, or one more miraculous experience would finally give them the confidence to act. In reality, they were overlooking what God had already shown them.

I've discovered something different. The greatest breakthroughs in my own life rarely came because I received spectacular revelations. They came because I acted on the understanding I already possessed. I created the need for God's help. As I obeyed, God opened another door, and as I walked through that door, He revealed another opportunity. Looking back, I can see His hand directing my life, but I rarely saw the entire picture while I was living it.

Five years ago, I went to Colombia and have visited 25 times since then. Those visits earned me an invitation to Panama and now the Dominican Republic. Twenty-five of my books are now translated and available in the Spanish-speaking world. I take a Spanish lesson every day to learn a new word or phrase. The work is hard and I've had to invest my own money to carry it out, but God has met me every step of the way. And now Pakistan beckons me . . .

Could God speak to you through a dream? Certainly. Could He send someone with a timely word of encouragement? Of course. He's free to communicate however He chooses. But Paul's life teaches us that God often reveals more to people who are already faithfully pursuing the purpose they know.

Perhaps the better question isn't, "Why doesn't God speak to me?" Perhaps the better question is, "What have I done with what He has already shown me? Why would He speak to me again when I haven't followed through on His last message."

Paul didn't receive six supernatural encounters because he sought experiences or was "soaking" in God's presence. He received them because he kept pursuing the purpose God had entrusted to him despite opposition, uncertainty, imprisonment, and hardship. Each new revelation equipped him for the next stage of that journey.

God may not give you an engraved invitation to your future. He may simply ask you to be faithful with today's assignment. If you obey what you already know, don't be surprised when He reveals what you need to know next. Purpose isn't guided by one dramatic revelation but by a lifetime of faithfully responding to increasing light.

Your Turn

What has God already made clear to you that you have been postponing while waiting for additional confirmation? What would it look like to act on the light you already have?

What Would Paul Ask You?

Are you waiting for God to tell you something new, or are you faithfully doing what He has already told you?

Purpose Moment

Thank God for every insight, opportunity, and direction He has already given you. Ask Him for the courage to obey what you know today, trusting that He will reveal tomorrow's light when you need it.