How Do I Know If My Life Is Headed in the Right Direction?
What You’ll Learn
- How to recognize God’s direction when you are unsure what to do next.
- How to honestly evaluate what is guiding your decisions and priorities.
- How to keep moving forward when life does not go according to plan.
Summary
Most of us want to believe our lives are moving toward something meaningful—but it is easy to feel uncertain, distracted, or stuck. In this message from Houston’s First Baptist Church, Pastor Gregg Matte explores how listening to God, placing Him at the center of your life, and trusting Him through the unexpected can give you a clearer path forward.
Does God really have a plan for my life?
Yes. The Bible shows God working through people and circumstances across generations, even when His plan is not immediately visible. In Numbers 1:1-5, God speaks to Moses in the wilderness and gives him specific instructions for preparing the Israelites for their next step. They had not reached their destination, but God was already organizing and leading them toward it. You may not understand everything happening in your life right now, but uncertainty does not mean God is absent. God has a plan, and you can learn to walk with Him one step at a time.
How can I hear God when I need direction?
Pastor Gregg explains that God speaks through His Word, His Spirit, and His people - in that order. Reading the Bible helps you understand who God is before you rely on a feeling or someone else’s opinion. Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hearing God begins with a willingness to listen and respond. Instead of asking God only to confirm what you already want, create space to ask, “God, what do You want to show me?” When the Bible is open, God is speaking through what He has already revealed.
Do I need to have everything figured out before I move forward?
No. Faith does not require having every detail in place before taking the next step. In Genesis 12:1–4, God told Abram to leave his home and travel “to the land that I will show you.” Abram did not receive a complete map, but he trusted God enough to begin moving. Pastor Gregg describes this as becoming a “moving target” - someone who continues walking by faith while remaining open to God’s direction. You do not have to wait for perfect certainty. You can listen, take the next faithful step, and trust God to guide you as you go.
How can I tell what is really directing my life?
Take an honest inventory of your life. Consider where your time, attention, energy, and decisions are leading you. Numbers 2:1–2 describes the Israelites arranging their camp around the tent where they met with God. God’s presence was not pushed to the edge; it was placed at the center. Jesus gives a similar direction in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Examining your life can reveal whether God is truly at the center or simply one part of an already crowded schedule.
What does it mean to put God at the center of my life?
Putting God at the center means allowing your relationship with Him to shape every other part of your life: your relationships, work, choices, plans, and priorities. In Numbers 2, every Israelite tribe was positioned around the tent of meeting, the place that represented God’s presence among them. Their entire community was organized around Him. Pastor Gregg’s point is simple: God is not meant to remain on the fringe of your life. When you seek Him first, everything else begins to find its proper place - not because life becomes easy, but because you know Who is leading you.
What should I do when life does not go the way I expected?
Choose trust and gratitude instead of allowing disappointment to turn into constant complaining. Throughout the Book of Numbers, the Israelites repeatedly wanted to return to Egypt because the journey was harder than they expected. Their unbelief and ingratitude kept them from moving forward. That does not mean you have to pretend painful circumstances are good. It means you can be honest about what hurts while still believing God sees a bigger picture. When life feels uncertain, ask what you can be grateful for today and where God may be inviting you to trust Him.
Can I trust God even when I cannot see the whole plan?
Yes! But trust grows as you listen and walk with God, not merely as you wait for every question to be answered. God’s instructions to Moses in Numbers 1 and 2 prepared the Israelites for a journey they had not yet completed. They could see only the next step, while God understood the entire plan. Pastor Gregg reminds us that “God is always up to something,” even when we cannot recognize it yet. Faith means believing God is still working, taking the next step He places before you, and remaining grateful while His larger purpose unfolds.
Key Scripture
“The Lord spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai, on the first day of the second month of the second year after Israel’s departure from the land of Egypt: ‘Take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and their ancestral families, counting the names of every male one by one.’” Numbers 1:1–2 (CSB)
This passage begins with God speaking to Moses while the Israelites are still in the wilderness—a place between where they had been and where they were going. It shows that God can provide direction and order even when your life feels uncertain or unfinished.
About the Pastor
Gregg Matte is the Senior Pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He communicates biblical truth with warmth, humor, and practical examples, helping people understand how faith in Jesus connects with the questions and challenges of everyday life.
FAQ — VISITING THE CHURCH
- What should I wear? There is no dress code. You will see everything from shorts and jeans to dresses and suits, so come in whatever makes you comfortable.
- How long is the service? Plan for approximately 75 minutes. The service includes music, prayer, and a practical message based on the Bible.
- Is there something for my kids? Yes. Houston’s First offers age-appropriate Sunday experiences for children from birth through fifth grade, as well as programming for middle and high school students.
- What happens when I walk in? You can expect a warm welcome without being singled out. Team members are available to help you find the Worship Center, children’s areas, restrooms, or anything else you need.
- Do I have to give money? No. Giving is an opportunity for people who consider Houston’s First their church home, but guests are not expected or pressured to give.
- Will I be expected to know the songs or the Bible? Not at all. The words to the songs are displayed, and the pastor explains the biblical passage so you can follow along even if you have never read the Bible.
- Where should I park? First-time guests can use the designated guest parking at any of our campuses. Look for signs or ask a parking team member for help when you arrive.
You do not need to have faith figured out before visiting Houston’s First. Come with your questions, experience a Sunday service, and discover what it might look like to place God at the center of your life. We would be glad to welcome you and help make your first visit simple and comfortable.