What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do
“Oh, boy…”
One of the simplest and most repetitive catchphrases on a television show ever. I remember watching Quantum Leap in the early nineties. It was a show where the main character, Sam Beckett, would leap into the lives of other people, helping them solve life’s dilemmas as they came up.
With my active imagination, I longed to do that as a child, to jump into people’s lives and help fix things. But when I became an adult, there were times I longed for someone else to do that for me.
I wanted so badly to be an adult. But when the responsibilities hit, paying bills, taking out student loans, preparing for a family, being a husband, planting a church I wished many times that God would just leap into my body and tell me what to do. Or at least give me a sign!
There were hard decisions to make along the way, and being a husband, father, and minister of a church plant made it all very real and very scary. I know I’m not alone in this—most of us want to avoid making the decision that leads to disaster, especially if we fear stepping outside of the will of God.
Life Comes With Crossroads
I remember one of the hardest decisions early in my adult life: deciding whether or not to go through with an amniocentesis. I thought to myself, “If everything’s not OK, we’re not going to terminate the pregnancy anyway.” And that settled it, we made the right decision there.
Then came a bigger one. I had the opportunity to leave a well-paid, stable job with benefits at Acer of America, a company I’d worked at for ten years. I was studying at the Austin Graduate School of Theology, but some of the classes I needed weren’t available at night. I wanted to scream from the pressure of that decision.
The new job I found (Geek Squad) let me work nights, but to keep it, I had to meet sales goals. And listen, I'm no salesman. I had children and a wife to care for and support. Was God really calling me to give up the financial security that allowed me to care for them?
There are moments, like Abraham’s journey, where God gives you an opportunity, but it requires faith to walk through the door. I’ve had moments where God opened doors in ministry, and I had to decide whether or not to step through. I love where I serve now, but there have been other roles I turned down, some wisely, some I still wonder about. Could I have served in a greater way for the Kingdom?
But here’s what I’ve learned:
God is not playing games. He’s not waiting for you to get the “wrong answer” so He can punish you.
And no, He’s not going to leap into your body like Sam Beckett and make your choices for you. That would destroy the beautiful gift of free will.
If I’m walking within the will of God, I’ve come to believe, there’s no such thing as a wrong decision.
Co-Labor, Not Co-Dependence
One of the things we must understand as light emitting disciples is that we walk with God. To really grasp our relationship with Him, we have to go back to the beginning.
In the Garden of Eden, Adam was created in the image of God to have dominion over creation (Gen 1:26–30). But God didn’t leave Adam to do it alone.
It wasn’t a co-dependent relationship, where Adam robotically couldn’t function without God making every decision for him, but a co-labor relationship, where God walked with him, empowered him, and trusted him to carry out his role.
In Genesis 2:15–16, Adam is placed in the garden with clear instructions. God tells him to avoid the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Why? Because God was supposed to be Adam’s understanding, guide, provider, and protector. Eating from the tree would be Adam saying, “I no longer trust You to lead me.”
And notice, God didn’t make the decision for him.
Discernment Over Magic
Spiritual discernment is the ability to see from God’s point of view.
God’s will usually isn’t about “Option A or Option B.” It’s about faithful presence in either.
Check out these passages:
Psalm 37:23
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.
Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Discernment isn’t some magical moment of clarity. It’s spiritual maturity.
God’s will is the restoration of all humanity.
If my desire aligns with that, I’m standing on solid ground.
With that clarity, I can look beneath the surface and ask:
Is this decision rooted in my ego (Self-centered) or is it Spirit-led?
When Jesus Faced a Crossroad
When I look at how to handle big decisions, I look at Jesus.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow and anxiety. He was about to say “yes” to the cross.
What did He do first? He went to His place of prayer.
When you don’t know what to do, start with prayer.
One of our biggest mistakes is rushing into decisions without consulting God.
Let your prayer be a monologue with Him. Be real. Tell Him what you’re wrestling with. He cares.
Jesus also had community with Him. He brought His disciples for support. When you're praying, also seek wise counsel, but not just people who will co-sign your fears or flatter your ego.
Surround yourself with folks who care more about God’s Kingdom than your comfort.
Even when His disciples fell asleep on Him, Jesus kept praying. And His prayer? Simple and honest:
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me;
nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
He prayed this three times. There was no dove. No audible voice. No fireworks.
Just silence.
And yet, Jesus obeyed what He knew.
He trusted in God’s character, even when there was no confirmation.
Luke tells us Jesus was in such anguish, He sweat drops of blood what many believe was hematidrosis, a condition triggered by extreme stress.
Jesus was anxious. But by the third prayer, He was resolved, because He trusted what He knew about the Father.
So What Do You Do?
When you don’t know what to do:
Pray.
Wait.
Seek counsel.
Obey what you do know.
Trust in the character of God. He’s not trying to trick you.
Even when you’re unsure, stay in HIS will.
If you do that, He’ll keep walking forward with you.
God won’t leap into your body and take over like Sam Beckett.
But if you lean into Him, stay faithful, and walk in discernment, you’ll be leaping for joy when you see what He’s done through your willingness to seek Him and trust His character.
Be the light. Be LED. 💡
