Over the past several months, my prayer/mantra has come from the lyrics of a hymn we sang often in church as a child, Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go. And it’s a sincere desire coming from the depths of my heart; however, I admit to extending the line a bit with “Wherever He Leads…but Where’s Wherever? This woman doesn’t mind following Him because I have Holy Confidence in His promises like Psalm 139: “You see me when I travel and when I rest at home…You go before me and follow me…your hand will guide me;” but even a confident follower likes to know the destination. And I may know the final destination, but for right now, I need an answer to Where’s Wherever?
Personally, I don’t feel alone in this conundrum of Where’s Wherever? after all, the songwriter of the hymn was pondering his next step after returning from the missionary field. And aren’t many Lasting Lyrics (and psalms) composed as an outlet to express something deep in the heart that is challenging to communicate otherwise? Even a recent message by Andy Stanley shares about how to find the way when we confront dead ends. So, I imagine there are many of us needing a bit of guidance when we are attempting to see Beyond the Headlights, craving some discernment about where the road ahead might lead.
To be honest, I am struggling to explain how I ended up here after more than thirty years investing my heart and time into a second family, but I can’t deny that it’s happening. Perhaps when this season is in my review mirror, some insight will be provided as to what I might have done differently, but for now, I’m still asking Where’s Wherever? What’s Next?, and a thousand other directional questions. And I’m extremely grateful for reminders from friends and colleagues that they, too, have navigated Raging Seas, allowing the Lord to help them find a way through the difficult days (or months and years).
Another great reminder all of us can rely on when we struggle to see a way forward is to read through Hebrews 11, sometimes called Faith’s Hall of Fame. Here we are able to witness what happens when we surrender all, even when we don’t understand. Katrina Patton reminds us that seeing by faith means “You don’t always see God working, but you can trust that He’s there. As the writer of Hebrews penned, ‘Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’ (11:1). By faith we place our confidence and assurance in God—especially when we can’t see or understand what He’s doing.” Another Our Daily Bread author Xochitl Dixon mirrors this idea, “No matter where God leads us or our loved ones, even through difficult times, His most comforting commitment assures us that He’s always present.”
Admittedly, it’s His presence that allows us to Flourish at Life; we’d never succeed beyond the level of functioning if it weren’t for Him. It’s easy for me to say I answered the call to Follow Me, but it’s a real trial to live it out. It’s easy for me to say I surrender the issue to Him, but it’s a challenge not to peek around the corner to check on how He’s doing with devising an answer to my Where’s Wherever? I am confident He’s doing a new thing (Isaiah 43), but I wish He’d clue me in soon before I hit the dead end where I can’t turn around.
I’m so grateful for the many friends who’ve shared their own stories of faith when they didn’t know what to do next. Perhaps you have one of those stories too. We could all benefit from hearing how your Where’s Wherever turned out to be. Would you consider sharing in the comments below?
References:
Dixon, X. (2023, December 5). God’s comforting commitment. Our Daily Bread. Retrieved from https://odb.org/2023/12/05/gods-most-comforting-commitment
McKinney, B.B. (1936). Wherever he leads, I’ll go. Retrieved from https://popularhymns.com/wherever-he-leads-ill-go
Patton, K. (2023, November 25). When you can’t see. Our Daily Bread. Retrieved from https://odb.org/2023/11/25/when-you-cant-see
Stanley, A. (2023, December 3). The way in a manger, Part 1: Dead ends. [Audio podcast]. North Point Community Church. Retrieved https://northpoint.org/messages/the-way-in-a-manger/dead-ends
Stegall, K. (20016). Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go. [Recorded by Alan Jackson]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRJY7SlujNw
Flourishing @ Life 
Beautifully written and a wonderful reminder of how God is still working especially in the uncertainty of it all. ❤️
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I had an easy time relating to this article. As I enter my junior spring semester, it is starting to feel like the beginning of the end of my undergraduate program. It hit me hardest when I realized that this would be my last spring soccer season ever. While I am excited to reach that milestone, it also terrifies me about the possibilities for life after college. “Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go” brings some peace of mind to my worries of uncertainty. Understanding that I am here because of His plan and that He will continue to guide me into my next chapter of life is very reassuring and will definitely aid in my transition out of university.
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No answers. But later the trail might become one of your best hikes.
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A colleague said this week that I might be getting a real taste of content for the blog. I laughed and agreed. Didn’t plan to write about this experience but it seems the only way to wrap my head & heart around it.
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Here recently, I can really relate to this. It is so hard to know what He is doing when we cannot see it, but we just have to trust. This is such a good read and reminder in knowing that He would never lead us somewhere we should not be. Just as you said, it would definitely be easier sometimes if we just had a clue as to where He is taking us, but then we would miss out on the power of the trial we encounter. It is easy to say that everything happens for a reason, but it is hard to truly believe it. This brought me great peace in knowing that He has a plan and it will not fail.
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After reading this article, I realized how often I think things like “Where’s Wherever?” I often wonder what the future looks like and what God wants me to do with my life. I don’t think I have found my calling in anything yet, but I know God has His perfect plan for me so “Wherever He leads I’ll go.” These are constant reminders that bring me peace because I do not have to know any of these answers yet. I simply just have to live my life for Him and trust that He’s always there. Throughout college, many challenges will come my way and my thoughts will go back to “Where’s Wherever?” But I think you can’t try and find all the answers, you just have to believe that God’s got you.
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After reading this article it posed the question for me “What does my future really look like?” and that got me thinking that I really don’t know what the future holds for me, only He does. “Where’s Wherever” is a deep thought for me as I am a freshman just starting my journey of college and adulthood. I love the verse Matthew 7:7, which says, “Seek and you will find” because that reminds me to keep looking for what God has for me. It is a constant reminder every day that my life, my future is His plan. I am a firm believer that God is in control and has a sole purpose for me.
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As a senior in college, I oftentimes find myself asking the question “Where’s Wherever?”. When I came to college, I thought I knew exactly what my life would look like in 4 years. I’d be finishing my last season of college volleyball, probably engaged and planning a wedding, and applying to dental school. SURPRISE! None of that happened. One hip surgery, a few breakups, and a couple major changes later, I’m back to square one. I have no idea where I am going to be next year, but I do know that God is going to be there too. He has my entire life in His hands, and He has a purpose for my life that is so much bigger than what I initially planned for myself. We as humans cannot be certain of much…. but we can be certain that God is always good.
I cannot go in search of the answers to “Why” certain things have happened to me throughout my life. None of it was fair, but all of it was planned. Not planned by me, but planned by God. God has a purpose for my life, and I do know that wherever God takes me, I can’t wait to go.
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