Make God Your Business Partner: Trusting His Plan for Your Next Chapter
I had a business strategy meeting with the Lord.
When my position was made redundant, I was faced with a mix of emotions. I already had ideas about what I wanted to do and the paths I planned to pursue, but deep down, I knew something was missing. That “something” was clarity from God. I hadn’t yet asked Him what He wanted my journey to look like.
Before redundancy, I spent years juggling a side hustle with a 9-5 job. I knew I wanted to leap into entrepreneurship full-time but hesitated. I kept waiting for everything to line up perfectly—certainty, stability, and a laid-out plan. When I learnt my job would be redundant, I felt like God was nudging me forward, saying, “It’s time.”
After all, my last two jobs were God-given (there is a whole story about this which I’ll share at some point). Before stepping into each role, I had sought His guidance and trusted Him to lead me - I didn’t just see a role, like it, apply, get accepted and take it - I asked God to guide me at every single step of the way. So, when the time came to leave my most recent position, I knew I couldn’t skip—consulting God before making any moves. And trust me, I wanted to leave long before I was made redundant.
Just like before, I needed to align my steps with His will. It wasn’t about my plans or what seemed logical at the time; it was about seeking His direction and trusting that He already had the next chapter mapped out.
It didn’t happen at the perfect moment (in my mind). I had been working toward a major milestone that this shift could disrupt. But here’s the thing: everything worked out right on time. It’s funny how we can pray for God to take the lead, yet still find ourselves worrying about the outcome. That worry? It’s a sign we’re not fully trusting Him.
This was a humbling reminder for me. I’ve learnt—time and time again—that God’s timing is never wrong. He never misses.
So, after being made redundant and stepping toward the desires of my heart, I knew I couldn’t move forward without Him. I dedicated intentional time—a “business strategy meeting” with the Lord.
What That Looked Like
I set aside quiet hours with God.
I played worship music and poured my heart out—my desires, worries, fears, doubts, and concerns. I asked Him to guide me and confirm if my plans aligned with His purpose for my life and this season.
And let me tell you, God responded. He deposited so much in my spirit—more than I was prepared for. Honestly, my first reaction was, “God, are you sure? Me? I don’t have [insert all the things I thought I lacked].”
But here’s the beauty of God: He doesn’t need us to have it all together. In fact, He wants us to lean on Him, especially when we feel like we have nothing or don’t know the next step.
Some of the downloads I received were so specific. They included guidance on how to approach my finances, my diet, aligning my relationships, and even sharing more of my story as a testimony of His goodness and work in my life.
Since that time, I’ve taken steps to act on some of these while still praying for clarity and strategy on how to approach others. But for the most part, He has laid everything out for me, so much so, that my 2025 goals will be heavily guided by what has been deposited into my spirit (which is different than how I usually approach my goal setting annually). My biggest responsibility now is to be obedient—to trust Him fully—and to continually seek His guidance and direction as I move forward.
Have You Asked God About Your Plans?
As we approach a new year, many of us are planning—setting goals, revenue targets, and even bucket lists. But have you thought about including God in those plans?
Here’s what worked for me:
1. Dedicate Time to Listen to God.
Choose a quiet space free from distractions. No phones, no interruptions. You can choose a day or even days fully dedicated to listening to God.
2. Prepare Your Heart.
Spend time fasting. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
3. Bring Your Questions and Concerns to God.
Write down what’s on your heart—your plans, doubts, and worries. Be honest.
4. Listen Intentionally.
After asking God your questions, pause. The first thoughts or impressions that come to mind are often His whispers. Write them down. If you’re unsure, present them back to Him and ask for confirmation.
5. Pray Over the Guidance You Receive.
Don’t rush to act or share what you’ve received unless God prompts you to. Some insights may feel overwhelming, but trust His timing and strategy.
6. Ask for Strategy and Strength.
If the guidance feels out of reach or beyond your capacity, ask Him how to approach it and for strength to obey.
7. Be Obedient.
This is the hard part, but it’s the most rewarding. Obedience to God’s guidance always brings blessings, even if it’s uncomfortable at first. And honestly, this is a challenge more many.
My Invitation to You
As the year winds down, I’ve decided to quiet myself—tuning out social media and distractions—to reconnect with God. It’s not just about asking Him for plans and direction for next year; it’s about being still and nurturing my relationship with Him.
If you’ve been feeling distant from God or uncertain about your next steps, I encourage you to take time to reset. Allow yourself to listen, to let go of your agenda, and to let Him lead.
God’s plans are always better than ours—even when they don’t align with our timeline or vision. Trust Him with your goals, your dreams, and your fears.
A sermon that provides a great guide to trusting and partnering with God and that whatever He (God) leads you to, he can carry you through,
Mission Possible by Stephanie Ike
Books I am Reading:
The Bible - my preferred Bible, NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Hardcover, Full-Colour: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren
Here’s a playlist I’ve created to help you set the tone as you reflect and set your goals for the year.
Podcast episodes I’ve been listening to in this season as I reflect and set my goals for the new year.
As we prepare to enter a new year, I’d love to hear from you:
Have you taken intentional time to invite God into your plans for the year ahead?
What does “trusting God’s timing” look like in your life right now?
What steps are you taking to align your plans with His will?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.