Stepping Into the Unknown (Apparently Again)

Lately my Bible studies keep circling the theme of stepping into the unknown. I didn’t think much of it beyond it being a common theme in scripture and a popular start to a new year. That is, until an executive at work suddenly asked to “talk about my career.” I wasn’t looking for anything new at the office. In fact, I’ve been so comfortable, I started wondering if God was nudging me toward a side gig- some creative outlet or indulging a hobby. I started spending more time than usual on pinterest, fantasizing about a reinvention where I can somehow support a family of 5 by running an incredibly niche shop in a very small town.

But now I’m being asked where I see myself in the future and if I’ve considered my next steps at my corporate job. Truth be told, not really. I put thought into how to be better at the job I’m doing, but I don’t think about taking different jobs. I reckon those opportunities will appear when it’s time. So, maybe it’s time. Maybe the comfort was the calm before the storm. Maybe fantasizing about a new gig sniffing old books, making candles, and drinking coffee all day was preparing me for an unexpected journey. Well one thing is certain- the focus of my studies has been opening my eyes to see what God is doing. I will never stop marveling at how God speaks so clearly through Scripture!

I’ve always said the secret to my success is not the opportunities I took but the ones I let pass by. Not every door that opens is a new calling from the Lord, sometimes it’s a test. Discernment is hard when you work diligently and people genuinely want to help you “get to the next level.” It looks like a reward. It looks like something earned and deserved. Promotion is a good thing, right? But the “next level” always means more sacrifice and only sometimes means more money. I’m at a point in my life and career where a networking opportunity or chance to get my name out there is worth nothing up against time with my young ones at home.

This time, though, the conversations haven’t been so lopsided. I was clear about what I do well, what environments I thrive in, what I value, and what I refuse to trade for money. Those boundaries were respected and it actually seems like a solid opportunity. Maybe God isn’t asking me to pivot my whole life and slip into early retirement, napping in sunbeams and occasionally selling a book and a slice of pumpkin bread—maybe He’s preparing me to step into greater responsibility right where he already put me. I just need to walk through the door.

Which brings me to Exodus 4:24–26, a passage I’ve read a dozen times but finally noticed.

God calls Moses in spectacular fashion. Moses reluctantly agrees. Moses starts moving, focused on the big mission he’s been given. However, despite taking those steps and mobilizing his body, his heart isn’t aligned. God gave him the words “let my son go,” yet Moses hadn’t honored the covenant with his own son in his own household. How can he lead a nation into covenant faithfulness if his own family is cut off (pun intended)?

Zipporah sees the danger, acts decisively, and saves his life. It’s a spiritual wake‑up call: you cannot stand before Pharaoh if you are not right at home. Moses was focused on the big assignment and missed the stewardship already in his hands. Obediently following a calling means more than just moving your body in the direction God told you to go.

Now, I’m hardly being sent by God to free the Israelites from captivity, but I do firmly believe that God has put me here on purpose and has something for me. This is my mission field. This move into a new role in my corporate gig, as insignificant as it may seem in the grand scheme of things, is not outside of His care or concern. In a professional transition, it’s easy to focus on KPIs, comp structure, teams, and scope, however, Exodus reminds me: the foundation must be as strong as the structure. When God prepares someone for a shift in responsibility, He often conducts an internal audit before the external launch. 

Is there a small area of integrity, a habit, or a personal commitment I’ve let slide while focusing on the big promotion? Is my house in order? Is there anything I think I can run and hide from by taking this new position? 

Moses was being sent to represent the King of Kings. If he went into Egypt while actively neglecting God’s covenant, his authority would’ve been hollow. He’d be a hypocrite before he even started. Before God gives us authority over others, He often checks our authority over ourselves.

You cannot lead a team into a healthy culture if you haven’t cultivated health in your own private tent. If this is my mission field, then I need to be as prepared for the mission as I am for the benefits.

Bring these things before God as you prepare for a new opportunity:

The circumcision of motives: Ask God to cut away any pride or self-reliance that might have cropped up during the process. Are you stepping into this for His glory, or your own?

The household harmony: Zipporah was the one who stepped in. As your responsibilities grow, how are you ensuring your closest relationships are coming along with you and not being sacrificed for ‘the mission’?

The flint knife moment: Is there something you’ve been procrastinating on- a difficult conversation, a debt, a confession- that needs to be handled now so it doesn’t follow you into the new role?

Moses survived that encounter and became the greatest leader in Israel’s history because he (and Zipporah) were willing to course-correct instantly. God isn’t looking for perfection in the new role, that’s what He will bring, but He does want alignment- of your heart and mind, not just your feet.

SPOILER ALERT

I read ahead. If the Bible is showing me a model and a pattern for what I’m presently experiencing, then I can’t help but look ahead and see what the next thing is in the pattern. Once the internal audit and spiritual purification is complete- what should I be watching for?

After the audit, the leader is immediately sent to the place of the greatest tension. For Moses, it was Pharoah, for Joshua it was Jericho, and Jesus went straight to the synagogues. The audit is meant to give you a spiritual spine to handle the encounter without wavering. You restore order and strengthen your foundation because the next part is the really hard part! But fear not, the Lord is with you.