Divine Direction: Part 4 - "Faith to Start" with Craig Groeschel - Life.Church

Faith to Start: Stepping Toward God-Given Direction

Scripture References

Primary text

• Nehemiah 1:5
• Nehemiah 2:17-18
• Nehemiah 2:19-20

Other references

• Zechariah 4:10
• Galatians 6:9

Overview

Pastor Craig closed the “Divine Direction” series by challenging us to move from holy discontent to holy action. Using Nehemiah’s story, he showed that a divine burden often points to a divine direction, yet the greatest obstacle is usually the first step. God celebrates small beginnings, so we can dream big, start small, and keep stepping—even when opposition comes—trusting that He will finish what He starts through us.

Main Points

A divine burden reveals divine direction

• Nehemiah felt anguish over Jerusalem’s ruined walls—a “this is not OK” moment.
• Similar personal burdens (addiction recovery, foster care, human trafficking, etc.) can signal what God wants us to address.
• Story: Amy Groeschel’s burden for women in transition led her to open a small home that grew into a full ministry.

First response: Pray and ask for favor

• Nehemiah 1:5 model: worship, confession, remind God of His promises, ask for success.
• He sought the king’s approval before lifting a stone.

Start small

• Zechariah 4:10—God rejoices at the first step like a parent cheering a toddler’s first wobble.
• Repeated refrain:

  “You don’t have to have the faith to finish; you just have to have the faith to start.”

• Building the wall began with packing a bag, riding 850 miles, surveying by night, rallying people, and placing one stone.
• Illustration: Life.Church began with seven people in a living room, borrowed chairs, and a four-fingered transparency flipper in a two-car-garage “sanctuary.”

Take the next step—again and again

• After the first stone came tools in one hand, weapons in the other (Nehemiah 2:19-20): predictable resistance.
• St. Francis quote: “Start doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible; suddenly you’re doing the impossible.”
• Pastor Craig’s personal next step: launching a first-ever Life.Church leadership event after a year of podcasting.

Persevere; harvest follows faithfulness

• Galatians 6:9 urges steadfastness—“at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
• Mentor’s counsel: we overestimate short-term impact and vastly underestimate a lifetime of faithfulness.

Key Truths

• A God-given burden is an invitation to participate in His work.
• The start often stops people; unfinished dreams are dreams never begun.
• God celebrates and multiplies small, obedient beginnings.
• Opposition is normal when moving in God’s direction; perseverance is essential.
• Long-term faithfulness yields results we cannot presently imagine.

Response

• Identify the holy discontent God has placed in your heart.
• Bring it to God in honest, specific prayer.
• Take one concrete, small step this week—pack the bag, make the call, write the plan.
• Anticipate resistance and decide now not to quit.
• Celebrate each step and give God thanks as you go.

Closing

Pastor Craig urged every listener to stop waiting for perfect clarity and act on the nudge God has already given. Even if the step feels tiny, it may launch a story that changes countless lives.

“Dream big, but start small. Most of all, start.”

Prayer

Pastor Craig asked God to convert burdens into direction and give us courage for the first step, trusting Him to lead us exactly where He wants us.

Resources

• “Divine Direction: Seven Decisions That Will Change Your Life” by Craig Groeschel
• Upcoming series: “Through the Eyes of a Lion”