One of my favorite presents to give and receive is a book.

When it comes to nonfiction, there’s something so sweet about someone willing to share what helped and guided them through their dark moments and insecurities. And when it comes to fiction, romance, and fantasy, it’s like they’re inviting you to be a part of their world and the characters they’ve fallen in love with.

My best friend Micki gifted me the book Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung for my birthday. It’s a kind of self-help book, teaching a liberating approach to finding the Lord’s will.

I think at the beginning of my walk with Christ, I was so scared to do anything. I was scared to make any decision in my life, from decisions as big as where to move, to more minuscule things, like what to eat for dinner.

I’m being so serious when I say I thought the Lord was going to be mad at me for choosing to eat Chick-fil-A versus McDonalds.

I think there are several reasons I got sucked into this thought pattern. One, I didn’t know the Word for myself and spent more time listening to people talk about the Word rather than reading it. That leads us to two: I spent too much time on social media listening to the experiences of other Christians rather than seeking to experience Christ for myself.

There was a time last year when I truly was so miserable in my walk with Christ – and it had nothing to do with Him. His word and His ways are supposed to lead to freedom, so why did I feel so bound?

The first step to unlearning all of those unhealthy thought patterns was seeking the Lord’s will by spending time with Him and in the scriptures every morning. I also sought counsel and advice from my community, rather than random people on the internet who knew nothing about my situation and were only speaking from their own experiences (and trying to get views).

But Just Do Something also opened my eyes.

I used to think if I didn’t receive a prophetic word, a dream, or if my Bible didn’t suddenly fall open to a random chapter with a scripture that perfectly aligned with what I was going through, God would just want me to sit still.

While I think there is a lot of truth in being patient for God to reveal His mysteries to you and guide your steps, I think it’s very different to wait for it to be randomly written in the stars.

I honestly think I used “waiting on God” as an excuse because I was too afraid to try something new and to avoid all responsibility in making decisions.

DeYoung simply put it like this: “If you are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you will be in God’s will, so just go out and do something.”

It’s always important to seek the Lord’s wisdom before any big decision. It’s also equally important to trust that He will guide you and align your footsteps when you’re seeking His will and His way.

I remember back in 2021 when I was deciding between staying home for work after graduating from college, or if I should take a risk and move 12 hours away to a new city. I was so scared that if I made the “wrong” decision, the Lord wouldn’t be happy with me.

My friend Althea lovingly reminded me, “Amya, what if God blesses either decision that you make?”

I believe that’s the true heart of God. That when we seek to draw closer to Him and lean on Him every step of the way, He’ll bless the decisions that we make.