Jürgen recently had an image: someone walking backward while wearing a shirt buttoned in the back. Odd, but familiar. As we prayed, it seemed the person didn’t realize anything was wrong. They believed they were moving the right way; unaware everything was upside down.

That picture hit me as I’ve been seeking the Lord about my next career step. Clarity can feel far away. My prayer has become simple: “Lord, don’t let me make decisions that seem right in my eyes but lead me off Your path. Align my direction with Yours, even when I don’t understand.”

Desire, upbringing, culture, and experience shape how we judge what is “right.” We’re drawn to what feels fulfilling, pays more, positions us better, or fits our plan. But those measures can move us away from what glorifies Him.

Even a “right” step, taken with an unsurrendered heart, will miss the destination God intends.

1. Submit the map: Lay every idea, plan, and habit before the Lord.
2. Ask for alignment: “Lord, calibrate my desires to Your will.”
3. Measure by fruit: Look for humility, peace, obedience not just outcomes that the world can see.
4. Move at His pace: Don’t outrun grace; don’t lag behind conviction.
5. Course-correct quickly: When He shows a misstep, repent and realign.

Father, keep me from confident backward steps. Expose what looks wise but isn’t surrendered. Align my thoughts and ways with Yours until my pace, path, and posture agree with Your will. Amen.