Plans & Purposes
Plans & Purposes
When God Directs Your Steps – Thoughts from Our Impact Alumni
We ask lots of questions about our future when we’re young. We imagine it ripe with possibility as we consider the big questions: “Who will I marry? Where will I live? What will I do? Where will I go to college?”
Though I had already been to college, landed a great job, and had a growing family, it is this last question that I was asking myself again in my mid-thirties: Where will I go to college?
Where will I go to college?
Years prior, God asked me to preach, and having finally come to accept that call with all surety, I pondered what I should do next. I didn’t feel impressed to start preaching right away or even make it public. To me, the most logical next step was to enroll in a Bible college to receive training and learn more about the Bible I would be preaching from.
When I look back at the events leading up to and during my time at Impact University – the “chance” encounters, logical decisions, and unexpected friendships – a particular scripture comes to mind: “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Prov 16:9. I believe this scripture is often considered with a negative connotation, but it can certainly be interpreted in a positive light. Let me explain.
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
On a certain day in 2013, I just so happened to stumble upon an ad for Impact University, and the most logical thing to do was to take a deeper look. I planned my way, but God was directing my steps. I decided to attend Impact U, not because a great voice boomed from above, or a dream awoke me in the middle of the night, but because it seemed to me the most logical thing to do; and God approved (that’s another story as well). I planned my way, but God was directing my steps.
After a couple of years of attendance, I walked into class one evening and saw a new face. He was sitting by himself at the back of the class. “You mind if I sit here?” I asked, motioning to the seat next to him. We instantly hit it off. Of all the open seats available that night at class, I just so happened to choose the one beside a guy I had never met. He would go on to become one of my best friends and a constant source of motivation and encouragement. But at the time, he was just another guy on a similar journey as my own. It wasn’t until much later that I learned God had significantly bigger things in store, many of which I can now see but have yet to play out. I chose an open seat, but God orchestrated a divine friendship. I planned my way, but God was directing my steps.
I planned my way, but God was directing my steps.
I completed my degree five years after I began…apparently the five year program isn’t just for the undecided, young, and reckless! It’s not what you might think, however. Life happened; or more accurately, God happened, but that’s a story for another time.
To every Impact student, current and future, know this: Your decision to attend Impact University and the seemingly inconsequential decisions during your time here is not without significance. You are planning your way, but God is directing your steps.
Author: Johnny Roberts – Impact University 2019 Graduate Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry