Seeking guidance

Trusting in God for these big, important, life-altering decisions is really hard and takes some getting used to. As a child I didn’t ask God what he wanted me to do. That just started when I started thinking about college and what He wanted me to study and do after college. Now it’s coming up again where I’m asking what school to go to for my graduate degree.

And it’s hard to trust in Him so completely, especially when it can feel like you’re not getting an answer, or that you’re not getting the answer that you want.

I’ll admit that I didn’t really ask God where he wanted to go to college. I just knew I wanted to go to the University of Alabama. I grew up as a fan of Alabama football and was going to do everything I could to go there. So when I prayed I just told Him that’s where I wanted to go and that’s where I would go and if He didn’t want me to go there He should do something really big to shut it down.

It all ended up working out really well, but I think a lot about what might have happened if I had actually asked for His guidance and followed His direction. And the best way to fix that is to put it into practice now.

I graduate soon, in just two months, and am applying to vet schools across the country. I’m praying over every application, every interview, every email that I send out because I know I can’t make this decision without God’s guidance. On top of that I ask my parents, my Sunday School teacher, my BCM (Baptist Campus Ministries) group, my grandparents and my employers to all pray for God’s guidance for me too.

I’ve collected a lot of Bible verses in my Notes app on my phone that I’ve found during devotionals or that I’ve been sent by people praying for me. And I hope these will help you also as you lean more on God for understanding, for big decisions and small ones and if you don’t already pray regularly, that you would see the importance of it.


“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25)

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” (Psalm 37:5)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:17)

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” (1 Chronicles 16:11)

“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.” (Psalm 17:6)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

 

— By Ben Muñoz
Ben is this week’s guest contributor to The Rope. He also is the brother of Hannah Muñoz, digital editor at The Alabama Baptist. Ben is a senior at the University of Alabama and is currently applying to veterinarian schools across the country. 

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