Trusting God Without the Full Picture
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor Caleb Culver’s sermon from July 20, 2025!
The human condition comes with a deep longing—to know where we’re going and exactly how to get there. Oftentimes, we wish God would just sit next to us, spell it all out, and explain why He hasn’t given us an answer already. When we can’t hear His direction, or when the next step feels unclear, we start to wonder: Am I missing something?
But walking with God isn’t a step-by-step GPS or a perfectly laid-out map. It’s a relationship. It’s learning to trust Him, whether He gives us the big-picture vision or simply offers small, quiet guidance.
Psalm 119:105 says it like this: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
It paints two pictures of how God leads us—through the lamp and the light.
The Light to Our Path
Let’s start with the light. This is the wide-angle, zoomed-out kind of guidance—the overarching truths that shape our decision-making and self-belief. Think of it like the sunrise, lighting up the horizon to help us see where we’re ultimately headed.
God’s Word brings this kind of clarity. It helps us:
Make decisions that align with eternity
Stay rooted when trials come
Find comfort when life is painful
Hold onto integrity, even when it’s hard
The Lamp to Our Feet
Then there’s the lamp. This is the close-up, moment-by-moment kind of guidance—the small flicker of light that shows us just enough clarity to take our next step.
And honestly? That’s usually what we need most.
The lamp reminds us:
We need God daily. Just like the Israelites received manna one day at a time, we’re invited to come to God for fresh wisdom and direction each day.
We don’t need to know it all. God rarely shows us the whole story upfront. He’s more interested in our trust than our timeline.
Holding Both
The real challenge is learning to live with both the lamp and the light. Some of us naturally lean toward the big picture—we want vision, goals, and a clear path. Others are constantly zoomed in, asking God for direction about every little detail.
But here’s the truth: we need both.
If we only live in the big picture, we might miss the quiet voice of God in our day-to-day life. If we get stuck in the weeds, we can lose sight of His greater purpose.
Psalm 131 offers a beautiful image of this: David says his soul is like a weaned child with its mother. Not a baby crying for milk, but a child resting in the security of love and presence.
That’s what God wants—not followers constantly asking, What’s next? but sons and daughters who are simply close to Him.
So What Does This Look Like?
Here are a few ways we can lean into both the lamp and the light:
Spend time in Scripture. Let God’s truth shape the way you think, choose, and live.
Make space to listen. Slow down long enough to hear God’s quiet nudges.
Obey in the small stuff. Sometimes, the most life-changing things start with one faithful step.
Be okay with not knowing. Trust that God will show you what you need when you need it.
Pursue God, not just His guidance. Don’t just seek answers—seek Him.
Stay connected to community. You weren’t meant to do this alone.
Life with God isn’t just about where we’re going. It’s about who we’re becoming and how we are obeying His direction. When we feel lost, confused, or like we’re missing His direction, we can be reminded that His Word is a daily light and lamp, leading us in our walk.
At the end of the day, God’s goal isn’t just to give us answers—it’s to walk with us.
Tap to watch Pastor Caleb Culvers’ full sermon on Youtube.
Here's a 5-day devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: The Living Word
Reading: John 1:1–14
Devotional: Today we focus on the power of God's living Word. Just as the sermon highlighted the Hebrew word "dabah" meaning "active speech," we see in John's Gospel that Jesus is the Word made flesh. God's Word isn't just written text, but a living, active force in our lives. As you read, reflect on how God's Word speaks to you personally. How can you be more attentive to God's voice in your daily life? Ask the Holy Spirit to make Scripture come alive for you, transforming it from mere information into divine revelation that guides your steps and illuminates your path.
Day 2: Light for Our Path
Reading: Psalm 119:105–112
Devotional: Today's passage reminds us that God's Word is both a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It provides immediate guidance for our next steps and illuminates the broader journey ahead. As you meditate on these verses, consider areas in your life where you need God's guidance. Are you seeking His light for immediate decisions or long-term direction? Remember, God's Word offers both specific daily guidance and eternal truths to shape our overall trajectory. Pray for discernment to apply God's Word to both your immediate circumstances and your life's bigger picture.
Day 3: Perseverance in Trials
Reading: Romans 5:1–5
Devotional: The sermon emphasized how God's Word gives us perseverance in trials. Today's passage shows us the transformative power of suffering when viewed through the lens of faith. As you read, reflect on any current challenges you're facing. How might God be using these difficulties to produce endurance, character, and hope in your life? Remember that God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. This divine love can sustain us through any trial. Ask God for the strength to rejoice in your sufferings, knowing that He is working all things for your good and His glory.
Day 4: Comfort in Suffering
Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3–7
Devotional: Today we explore how God's Word provides unique comfort in suffering. Unlike other religious texts, the Bible offers both purpose in our pain and the promise of redemption. As you read, consider how Jesus not only offers a solution to suffering but entered into it Himself. How does knowing that God comforts us in all our afflictions change your perspective on hardship? Reflect on times when you've experienced God's comfort. How can you use those experiences to comfort others? Ask God to make you a channel of His comfort to those around you who are hurting.
Day 5: Walking in Integrity
Reading: Proverbs 11:1–11
Devotional: Our final day focuses on how God's Word gives us strength to walk in integrity. The sermon mentioned how biblical wisdom fortifies our resolve to live honestly, even under pressure. As you read today's proverbs, consider areas in your life where integrity might be challenged. How does God's Word provide guidance for these situations? Remember that integrity isn't just about following rules, but about aligning our hearts with God's character. Pray for the courage to choose integrity in all circumstances, trusting that God's way leads to life and blessing.
There’s an opportunity for you to grow in your spiritual journey, build meaningful community, and truly get connected. At Radiant Church, we’re passionate about helping people grow in faith, encounter the presence of God, and be part of a church grounded in Spirit and truth.