Let me ask you something; are you asking God to be with you in what you’re doing or are you asking him to bless what you’ve already decided to do?

At first glance, the difference might seem small. Both involve prayer, both involve God. But when you look at it deeper, you realize how much it reveals about the posture of your heart. One way seeks God’s direction before taking a step, and the other simply asks for His favor after we’ve already chosen the path. 

We live in a world that celebrates decisiveness, ambition, forward motion, and selfishness. We’re told to make plans, chase dreams, build something meaningful. And there’s nothing wrong with desire or drive. God puts things in our hearts for a reason, but if we know ourselves, we know that many of us tend to move first and then once everything is in motion, we go to God and say “Lord please bless this.” The Plan is already laid out. The decisions have already been made. We’re not really asking for His hand– we’re just informing and hoping He approves. But that’s not surrender. That’s not trust, and that’s not a relationship. 

In Proverbs 3:5-6 we’re told “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 path straight.” Notice the order: trust, submission, and then clarity. We often flip that around, wanting clarity first, so we can decide if we’re going to submit or not. But God doesn’t work like that. He invites us into something deeper, a life of dependance, of seeking Him before we act, of choosing obedience even when it costs us control. 

There’s a very human part of us that wants God’s blessing without God’s leadership. We want His presence in our plans, but not necessarily His input on them. It’s easier to ask for success than to ask for direction– because asking for direction might mean changing course. It means letting go of something we’ve already committed to. It might mean doing something that is harder, slower, or far less impressive. But here’s the truth: the safest, most fulfilling place you can be is in the center of God’s will– even when it doesn’t look like the fastest, most pleasant way forward. Jesus modeled this beautifully. On the night before His crucifixion, knowing the suffering ahead, He prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) If the Son of God was willing to surrender His desires to the Father, even in agony, how much more should we learn to pause, to listen, and submit?

The difference between asking God to join our plans and asking God to shape them is not about being super spiritual– it’s about being honest. It’s about saying “God, I don’t want to move forward until I know I’m walking where You want me to walk. And if I’ve already started in the wrong direction, give me the courage to turn around.”

This isn’t about hesitation or indecision. It’s about alignment to His will. It’s the difference between moving in your own strength and moving with God’s presence. One invites stress, confusion, and striving for more every time. The other brings peace, even when the road is uncertain. 

So pause. Ask yourself, “Have I truly asked God what He wants? Or have I already made my choice and I just hope He’ll bless it?” It’s not too late to shift. God isn’t waiting to punish you for getting it wrong– He’s ready to lead you forward if you’ll let Him. You don’t need perfect plans. You need a surrendered heart. That’s where real wisdom starts. That where peace is found. And that’s where God does His best work. 

• S.W.