I was thinking through some plans recently. Nothing major, just a few tweaks here and there. Then I heard the Holy Ghost say, “Ok, but did you ask Me?” I had to stop. The honest answer was no. I hadn’t asked God about any of it. It didn’t seem important enough to bother Him with.

But that thinking reveals something. Somewhere along the way, I had decided which parts of my life were worth bringing to God and which parts I could handle on my own. The big decisions got prayer. The small ones got my own judgment.

Scripture doesn’t make that distinction.

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

All your ways. Not just the major ones.

Remember Joshua and the Gibeonites. Men came wearing worn-out clothes and carrying dry, moldy bread, claiming to be from a far country. It looked simple. The evidence was right in front of them.

So the men [of Israel] took some of their own provisions [and offered them in friendship], and [foolishly] did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. (Joshua 9:14). Israel made a covenant they never should have made, and they lived with the consequences for generations. It was a small decision that became a big problem.

James warns us about planning without God: Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.” (James 4:15). You are not bothering God. The same Father who numbers the hairs on your head (Luke 12:7) wants to be involved in your Tuesday afternoon.

Asking Him isn’t an interruption. It’s an invitation.

Put It Into Practice

1. Pause before you proceed. Before you finalize even a small plan, stop and say, “Lord, is this alright with You?”
2. Listen, then move. Give the Holy Spirit a moment to respond. Peace is often His answer. Uneasiness is often His caution.
3. Make asking a habit. The more you ask about small things, the more easily you’ll recognize His voice when the big things come.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for the times I’ve treated You as though You were only interested in the big moments of my life. I acknowledge You in all my ways, the large and the small. Teach me to stop and ask before I act. Make me sensitive to the voice of Your Holy Spirit, and let me never be too busy or too confident to seek Your counsel. Direct my paths, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.