Divine Direction: Part 3 - "Trust the Process" with Craig Groeschel - Life.Church

Trust God’s Process

Scripture References

• Acts 20
• Psalm 119:105

Overview

Craig Groeschel shows how following Jesus is rarely a straight line. From Paul’s farewell in Acts 20 he outlines a four-step pattern—Spirit’s prompting, certain uncertainty, predictable resistance, and uncommon confidence. Whether it is launching a church, choosing a career, or deciding to phone a hurting friend, the same process holds: obey today and leave tomorrow to God. When life stops being about “making a name” and becomes about “making a difference,” history changes.

Main Points

Spirit’s prompting (Deo ho Numa)

• “Compelled by the Spirit” = being bound/dragged by the wind of God’s Spirit.
• Prompts can be life-altering (launching Life.Church) or simple (calling instead of texting).
• Never ignore a prompting—big or small—because none is insignificant.

• Illustration: Two fresh cinnamon rolls “pulled” Craig off his diet the way a Spirit prompting pulls us off our planned path.

Certain uncertainty

• Paul: “I’m going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen.”
• God gives a lamp for our feet, not a spotlight for the whole road (Psalm 119:105).
• We want steps 4-5-6; God usually shows only steps 1-2-3 because we “can’t handle the details.”
• Faith means living with a measure of uncertainty; without it we cannot please God.

Predictable resistance

• Holy Spirit warned Paul: “Prison and hardships are facing me.”
• Obedience always attracts opposition; if you’re never opposed, you may not be advancing the Kingdom.
• Quote: “If you’re not ready to face opposition for your obedience to God, you’re not ready to be used by God.”

• Story: Craig was first rejected for ordination, criticized for starting a new church, and called a heretic for video teaching—each step met resistance yet proved God’s direction.

Uncommon confidence

• Life verse: Acts 20:24.

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

• When life stops revolving around me and centers on Christ, we move from “make a name” ➜ “make a difference” ➜ unknowingly “make history.”
• Sometimes you must do what you don’t love (Paul made tents for years) to be ready for what you’re ultimately called to do.
• The goal is no longer perfect circumstances but perfect obedience—today.

Key Truths

• God still speaks; Spirit promptings are real and trustworthy.
• Obeying God includes embracing uncertainty; clarity grows with each step.
• Spiritual opposition is a normal sign you are on the right track.
• True confidence flows from surrender: “My life is not my own.”
• Daily obedience, not long-range control, positions you for eternal impact.

Response

• Listen for and act on the Spirit’s next nudge this week.
• Take one obedient step even without full details.
• Reframe resistance as confirmation rather than deterrent.
• Hold life, plans, and preferences loosely—declare, “It’s all about Jesus.”
• Do the faithful, possibly unnoticed task in front of you while God prepares the next one.

Closing

The path of Divine Direction is not predictable, comfortable, or pain-free, yet it is certain because God is faithful. Craig urged every believer to trade personal agendas for daily, Spirit-led obedience:

“Our plan isn’t just for the future; our plan is to obey what God prompts us to do today.”
In that posture, wherever we are and whatever comes, we will showcase the grace and goodness of Jesus.

Prayer

Craig thanked God for a church sensitive to His voice, asked the Spirit to interrupt our routines with promptings, and prayed that we would have courage to obey, trust amid uncertainty, endure resistance, and walk in uncommon confidence for Christ’s glory.

Resources

• Craig Groeschel, “Divine Direction: 7 Decisions That Will Change Your Life” (book & DivineDirectionBook.com)
• Life.Church App (stay connected, message archive)