Making Room for God’s Nudges: Lessons on Faith, Timing, and Trust
There’s just something about the end of the calendar year.
Maybe it’s the physical act of tossing last year’s planner into the recycling bin and cracking open a crisp new one. Or perhaps it’s a little spark in my subconscious, a signal to pause and reflect on where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m headed.
Last year, I was juggling some big commitments. I launched a new women’s ministry at my church, worked on my manuscript, and faithfully wrote weekly blog posts. At the time, I had no idea how much time and effort those responsibilities would demand—I just knew they were what God was calling me to do.
Looking back, I’m almost glad I didn’t know the full weight of those commitments upfront. If I had, my human instincts might have talked me out of at least one of them.
In May, I submitted my manuscript and, on the same day, began a writing coach certification course. It felt like I’d piled even more onto an already-full plate: editing, revising, launching a coaching business, and preparing for my book launch.
Yet, in the midst of the busyness, I could feel God’s steady nudging.
Learning to Listen to God’s Nudges
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to recognize and lean into those divine nudges. Left to my own devices, I come up with plenty of ideas—some great, others completely off the wall. But when God nudges me toward something, there’s a distinct difference: His guidance is consistent, His voice is calm, and His reassurance is steady—even when I feel afraid or uncertain.
Some nudges are exciting and aligned with what I love to do. But others? They’re challenging, uncomfortable, and far outside my comfort zone. Those are the scary nudges—the ones where I find myself asking God for multiple confirmations.
Photo by Nadine E on Unsplash
When God’s Timing Interrupts Your Plans
One of my favorite passages in the Bible, found in Luke 9:57-62, has taken on new meaning for me over the years.
“As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’
Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’
He said to another man, ‘Follow me.’
But he replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’
Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.’
Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’”
Growing up, I was taught this story was about dropping everything to follow Christ. And while that’s true on one level, there’s a deeper layer here: timing.
I’m a planner by nature. I don’t like to travel without an itinerary. I won’t grocery shop without a menu. And I won’t attend events without securing a pre-paid parking spot. I thrive on order and well-thought-out plans.
But God’s timing often disrupts my carefully crafted schedules.
In Luke 9, the people Jesus called weren’t offering ridiculous excuses. They wanted to address real, important responsibilities—family matters, goodbyes, and practical concerns. These weren’t unreasonable requests. And, Jesus’ audience would have known these weren’t unrealistic or unexpected asks. And yet, Jesus challenged them to trust His timing over their own plans.
Recognizing God’s Nudges in Your Own Life
That was an “aha” moment for me. How many times have I done the same thing? When God nudges me, my first instinct is often to glance at my calendar and think, This week is packed, but maybe next month I’ll have time to follow through.
I think we have to remember how Jesus responds in this story, though.. He asks them why they keep looking back to their past and having second thoughts about following Him.
This feels so similar to God nudging me, and my response being to look at my already-full calendar. I might as well be saying, “Well, I can’t fit you in this week or next week, but I think I have time to follow your nudges next month.”
It’s easy to get caught up in our schedules, commitments, and responsibilities, forgetting that God’s timing is always better than our own.
We can find ourselves doing the exact same thing as these folks from Luke’s story–looking back at our own plans and making 12 excuses as to why we can’t move forward with God’s plans for us.
This time of year, as we set resolutions and plan for the months ahead, I encourage you to leave space for God’s nudges. Be ready to change course—even if it disrupts your plans or doesn’t make sense at the moment.
As you step into a new year, my prayer for you is this: Stay open to the nudges, trust the timing, and follow without looking back.
Photo by Michaela St on Unsplash
Reflect and Respond
Here are some questions to consider as you prepare for the year ahead:
How can you make room for God’s nudges in your life?
What’s your typical response when God disrupts your plans?
How can you grow in trusting God’s timing, even when it’s inconvenient?
