When God Finally Answered “Why”
I thought I was waiting for an answer. God was preparing me for what came next.
Summary: Sometimes we follow God’s direction without knowing where He is leading us. Looking back on the past few months, I realize the Lord wasn’t withholding an answer. Instead, He was preparing both the ministry and my heart for what was ahead. In the waiting, His faithfulness was always there, quietly guiding each step.
When God Asked Me to Move Before I Understood Why
Several months ago, I sensed the Lord leading me to rename The Faithful Path to Faithful Path Living.
If I’m being honest, I didn’t want to.
It’s not that I disliked the name. I loved what had already been created, and I knew changing it would mean updating everything: the website, graphics, documents, social media, and many small details most people wouldn’t even notice. It felt like a lot of work, and I didn’t understand why it was needed.
As I prayed, I kept feeling the same conviction. No reason was given, just the assurance that I would understand someday. So, in faith, I made the change and waited for the Lord to show me what was next.
The answer didn’t come right away. Instead, the Lord simply kept placing the next assignment in front of me.
Throughout the summer, I kept working on the Preparedness series. At first, I had planned to write several more articles, but I felt the series was complete. The key ideas had been shared. It was time to end that chapter, but I still didn’t know why God wanted me to rename the publication months before. It felt uncomfortable to not know where the publication was heading.
I now realize I was asking the wrong question. I kept asking, “Why did You want me to change the name?” Instead of a much better question: “What are You preparing me for?”
God’s ways are above ours, and His plans go far beyond what we can see right now. Isaiah reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8, KJV). We often want quick answers, but God cares more about preparing us than just answering our questions.
Waiting on God Is Never Wasted Time
One detail now makes me smile.
In early June, I put together this month’s Scripture Journey called Faithful Through Every Season. The first week was about God’s faithfulness while we wait. At the time, I didn’t know I would spend the next few months living out those verses. Once again, the Lord used His Word to prepare my heart before I knew why I needed it.
Then the Sunday I published the final article in the Preparedness series changed everything. Later that day, I sat down to read an article Thomas M. Hamilton had written titled “How I Reverse-Engineered Substack” on Christian Book Finder. I expected to read another insightful article about growing a publication. Instead, I found an answer to months of prayer.
While I was reading the article, something clicked for me. The Lord wasn’t just showing me tips about Substack. He was revealing the next step for Faithful Path Living. What I thought would be just one publication was actually turning into something much bigger: a place where believers could find Christian publications, biblical resources, and encouraging voices right when they needed them.
For months I wondered how to build something like that, but I didn’t know where to begin, what systems to create, or how all the pieces could possibly fit together. As I read Thomas’s article, many questions were answered, but more importantly, I realized why God had asked me to rename the ministry months before.
Faithful Path Living was to become the home for the Faithful Path Network. If I had understood that back in May, I honestly don’t think I would have been ready. Thankfully, the Lord knew that.
Through the Preparedness series, He showed me that getting ready is an act of faithful stewardship, not of fear. Then He patiently led me through weeks of writing, praying, and waiting before showing me where those lessons would matter. In His great wisdom, He was preparing me before giving me a bigger assignment.
I think about waiting differently now. Often, we think that waiting means nothing is happening. We pray and look for direction, and when the answer doesn’t come as quickly as we think it should, we start to wonder if God has heard us or maybe we didn’t understand the assignment.
Scripture paints a very different picture, though. David writes, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD” (Psalm 27:14, KJV). Waiting is never wasted time. It’s a season. A time God uses to strengthen our hearts, deepen our faith, and get us ready for the work He has planned.
That is exactly what He was doing in my life. The Lord wasn’t delaying His answer, but preparing me to receive it.
Reflecting over the past few months, I am amazed by God’s faithfulness. Every article, prayer, moment of uncertainty, and season of waiting was part of His bigger plan. He knew what I needed to learn before asking me to build something bigger than I expected.
Maybe that is where you find yourself today. Maybe you’ve been praying for clarity about your family, work, ministry, or next step. Maybe you’ve started to wonder if God hears your prayers because the answer hasn’t come as quickly as you hoped.
Take courage.
The Lord is the ultimate Teacher. He knows how to prepare His children for the work He has planned for them. Even when the answers seem slow, He is always working. He is shaping the path ahead and the hearts that will walk it, even if we can’t see it yet.
One day, you may find yourself looking back and realizing that what felt like silence was actually preparation all along.
Reflection
This week’s Scripture Journey reminded me that God is faithful while we wait. As I start a new season with the Faithful Path Network, I can see that the waiting was one of God’s greatest gifts. He wasn’t just preparing a ministry. He was preparing me.
If you’re in a season where God’s direction isn’t clear, don’t lose heart. Keep seeking Him, keep trusting Him, and keep doing the work He has given you. His timing is always perfect, and His preparation always has a purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Faithful Path Network?
The Faithful Path Network is a growing community on Substack connecting readers with biblically faithful Christian publications, ministries, and resources. Helping believers discover encouraging, Scripture-centered content while supporting Christian creators who faithfully share God’s Word.
Why did you rename The Faithful Path to Faithful Path Living?
At the time, I didn’t fully understand why the Lord wanted me to make the change. Now I believe He was laying the foundation for a much bigger vision. Faithful Path Living would become more than a publication; it would become the home of the Faithful Path Network.
What did this season of waiting teach you?
It reminded me that waiting is not wasted time. God often uses uncertain seasons to strengthen our faith, shape our character, and get us ready for things we can’t see yet. We may not understand it right away, but His timing is always intentional.
How can I trust God when I don’t understand what He’s doing?
Follow what God has already shown you. Keep praying, reading His Word, and do the work He has given you right now. In time, you may discover that what felt like a delay was actually a season of loving preparation.