Perhaps I am not alone in the struggle to discern what is a Good or God thing. As I try to steward my time, talents, and treasures well, I sometimes wish for a flashing neon arrow pointing me clearly toward the “God” choices instead of the merely “good” ones. I mean, Moses got a burning bush, and God spoke through a donkey—so is a subtle, glowing arrow really too much to ask?
And then… I pause, a little embarrassed that I would even think such a thing. Because if I’m honest, what I’m really asking for is certainty without surrender; and surrender, as we all know, is the harder road. Deep down, in the quiet places of my heart, I just want to know that what I’m choosing is truly a God thing—not just a good thing dressed in convincing clothes.
Let me be transparent for a moment. As much as I wrestle with the Good or God question, I am anchored by the assurance that my Creator is listening. He may not answer in neon lights or audible soundbites (or even radio confirmations!), but I trust that He is answering. Honestly, I cannot imagine navigating this world without that faith. It’s challenging enough when I’m not the One in control—if I were fully in charge, we would all be in trouble.
And judging by the number of books, messages, and conversations centered on this very topic, it seems I’m in good company. This fog of trying to discern the best thing? Apparently, it’s a shared human experience. There’s a strange comfort in that. If you’ve never wrestled with this tension—especially when both options look perfectly acceptable—let me offer an example I often use with students.
In What’s Going Right, Paul Conti describes someone spending too much time on social media in a given day. It’s not particularly fruitful, but it’s not inherently wrong either… unless it’s replacing something more meaningful or pulling you away from responsibilities that matter. Most of us know this space well—scrolling a little too long, binge-watching just one more episode (which, of course, becomes three), or wandering down an online rabbit hole. These things aren’t necessarily bad. But they can become barriers when they crowd out what is better… or what God is inviting us into.
A chapel message by T.C. Stallings first planted the seed of this Good or God distinction in my heart. Since then, it has appeared again and again—in books, sermons, and conversations. As Shauna Niequist so honestly puts it, “I guess I haven’t learned that yet.” And maybe that’s okay. Even the disciples, who heard Jesus teach firsthand—His “stump speeches” (as Charles Martin calls them) like the Sermon on the Mount—still struggled to consistently choose what was God over what was simply good. That truth, strangely enough, encourages me.
For now, I’m leaning into the encouragement found in 1 Peter to be so Sober-Minded. I’m learning—slowly—that clarity doesn’t always come before obedience. Sometimes it comes through it. So I take the next step. And then the next. I pray for God to guide where my feet land, trusting Him to redirect me when I veer off course. I hold onto the hope that even when I don’t get it perfectly right, His grace will meet me there—and somehow, He will still make a good path out of my imperfect steps.
So I wonder—have you ever received your own version of a “neon sign”? Did clarity come through worship, prayer, Scripture, wise counsel… or perhaps an unusually timed song lyric? (I’m not ruling out the radio method just yet.) Please consider sharing insight into the comments below.
References:
Martin, C. (2021). They turned the world upside down: A storyteller’s journey with those who dared to follow Jesus. Thomas Nelson.
Stallings, T.C. (2025, September 17). Building a legacy. Campbellsville University. https://www.youtube.com/live/dzsHNT6sMNM
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