Trust the Mapmaker
05/29/2025
“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 (NIV)
When I was a kid, my family took a long road trip before GPS was even a thought. We had a folded paper map and my dad behind the wheel. Somewhere in the panhandle of Texas, we got lost. I remember watching my dad pull over, study the map, and decide to trust its guidance over his gut instinct. (mom was happy) Sure enough, the map led us back on course.
In life, we often treat our feelings or experiences like an internal GPS. But as many of us have learned the hard way, our instincts can take us down winding roads, dead ends, or worse, keep us going in circles. That’s why today’s verse is such a foundational truth for followers of Christ. It reminds us that God is the Mapmaker, and we are not called to navigate by what we see or feel, but by whom we trust.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” That word all leaves no room for partial trust. It means laying down our need for control, even when the road doesn’t make sense. It means trusting God’s timing when we’re impatient, His goodness when life feels unfair, and His plan when ours falls apart.
“Lean not on your own understanding.” God isn’t asking us to ignore our understanding, He’s asking us not to depend on it. There’s a big difference. He gave us minds to think and discern, but they are limited. He sees the whole path. We only see the next few steps.
“In all your ways submit to Him.” Not just Sundays. Not just the big decisions. All. That means inviting Him into your calendar, your finances, your relationships, your parenting, and your career. Submission isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. It’s recognizing that the One who formed the stars is better at steering your life than you are.
“He will make your paths straight.” This doesn’t mean easy. It doesn’t mean without hardship or delay. But it does mean purposeful. It means God will remove the obstacles that would have led you astray. He’ll take your wandering feet and set them on a firm course.
If you’ve felt directionless, confused, or like your plans have been detoured, maybe today is your moment to release the wheel, to stop rerouting on your own and finally trust the One who wrote your story before you were born.
Here are some things you can do to help you on your journey.
Take a few minutes today and write down the areas in your life where you’re leaning on your own understanding.
Pray over each one and surrender them to God.
Begin each day this week by saying aloud: “Lord, I trust You to direct my path today.”
My challenge for you is this:
Don’t make a decision today, big or small, without first submitting it to God. Pause, pray, and trust the Mapmaker.
Father, today I let go of my need to control every detail. I confess that I often lean on my own understanding, but I want to trust You with all of my heart. Guide my steps, Lord. Make my path straight. Help me to submit every part of my life to You, and to walk in peace knowing You are directing my journey. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“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 (NIV)
When I was a kid, my family took a long road trip before GPS was even a thought. We had a folded paper map and my dad behind the wheel. Somewhere in the panhandle of Texas, we got lost. I remember watching my dad pull over, study the map, and decide to trust its guidance over his gut instinct. (mom was happy) Sure enough, the map led us back on course.
In life, we often treat our feelings or experiences like an internal GPS. But as many of us have learned the hard way, our instincts can take us down winding roads, dead ends, or worse, keep us going in circles. That’s why today’s verse is such a foundational truth for followers of Christ. It reminds us that God is the Mapmaker, and we are not called to navigate by what we see or feel, but by whom we trust.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” That word all leaves no room for partial trust. It means laying down our need for control, even when the road doesn’t make sense. It means trusting God’s timing when we’re impatient, His goodness when life feels unfair, and His plan when ours falls apart.
“Lean not on your own understanding.” God isn’t asking us to ignore our understanding, He’s asking us not to depend on it. There’s a big difference. He gave us minds to think and discern, but they are limited. He sees the whole path. We only see the next few steps.
“In all your ways submit to Him.” Not just Sundays. Not just the big decisions. All. That means inviting Him into your calendar, your finances, your relationships, your parenting, and your career. Submission isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. It’s recognizing that the One who formed the stars is better at steering your life than you are.
“He will make your paths straight.” This doesn’t mean easy. It doesn’t mean without hardship or delay. But it does mean purposeful. It means God will remove the obstacles that would have led you astray. He’ll take your wandering feet and set them on a firm course.
If you’ve felt directionless, confused, or like your plans have been detoured, maybe today is your moment to release the wheel, to stop rerouting on your own and finally trust the One who wrote your story before you were born.
Here are some things you can do to help you on your journey.
Take a few minutes today and write down the areas in your life where you’re leaning on your own understanding.
Pray over each one and surrender them to God.
Begin each day this week by saying aloud: “Lord, I trust You to direct my path today.”
My challenge for you is this:
Don’t make a decision today, big or small, without first submitting it to God. Pause, pray, and trust the Mapmaker.
Father, today I let go of my need to control every detail. I confess that I often lean on my own understanding, but I want to trust You with all of my heart. Guide my steps, Lord. Make my path straight. Help me to submit every part of my life to You, and to walk in peace knowing You are directing my journey. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing RighteousnessThe Danger of Self-RelianceHeld by His HandProclaiming His Glory to AllHonoring One Another In LoveHidden TreasureTrusting God’s PlansThe Treasure of the KingdomStay Alert and Be PreparedGuarding Against GreedA House DividedYou Are the Light of the WorldEars to HearAll For The OneThe Beginning of WisdomUnashamed of the Gospel
February
Drawing Near with ConfidenceDaily Bread and Daily TrustEvery Good and Perfect GiftA Call to BlessingWalking by the SpiritStrength in the Lord’s RewardThe Power of Your WordsLiving in the Grace of GodOvercoming Evil with GoodPerfect Peace in an Imperfect WorldFrom Death to LifeOvercoming Evil with GoodResting in God’s WorkA Friend Who Loves at All TimesThe Lord Delights Over YouGo Into All the WorldImitating What Is GoodStrength in WeaknessBe Still and KnowTake Heart in Troubled TimesGuarded by God’s PeacePursuing PeacePeace That Cannot Be ShakenLiving Out the Law of LoveBlessing the Poor, Honoring the LordSinging of God’s Strength and LoveWorthy, Worthy, WorthyA Vision of Heaven’s Multitude
March
Go and Make DisciplesBe Strong and CourageousChoosing the Path of LifeUnchanging in a Changing WorldRedeemed by GraceWalking in Step with the SpiritPutting Faith into PracticeGo and Tell the Good NewsDwelling in the Shelter of the Most HighBehold, the Lamb of GodTo Live is Christ, To Die is GainSwallowed by GraceFor Such a Time as ThisSeeking Wisdom from GodBe MercifulA Heart That Seeks GodExtending Mercy to the DoubtfulThe Word Was GodThe Knock at Your Heart’s DoorThe Sacrifice That Pleases GodSharpening Souls TogetherMade for RestA Way OutApproved and UnashamedAll InClothed with CompassionLove That CoversRoots That Never Run DryRemain in MeThe Great ExchangeGod at Work Within You
No Comments