when voices collide

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when voices collide

There is profound wisdom in a multitude of counselors. Having a group of mentors and advisors to guide you through life’s adventures and challenges is invaluable, especially when those people have already traveled the road you’re on. Their experience can help you avoid distractions, detours, and unnecessary heartbreak. We’ve leaned heavily on this truth as we prepare for our move back to New Orleans and it has paid dividends.

As the saying goes, “You only get to lay a foundation once,” so we’ve been deliberate, even cautious, in readying our family, faith, and finances for what lies ahead. Foundations matter, whether you’re building a family, a friendship, a business, or even a Lego masterpiece. It doesn’t matter how tall, extravagant, or exciting the “building” may be. If the foundation is faulty, it will collapse, often with devastating consequences for yourself and those around you. That’s why we’ve taken the time to listen to the wisdom of those who’ve gone before us. We’re carefully following the blueprints and roadmaps they’ve shared, ensuring that we don’t miss any critical steps in this process.

But what happens when the advice you’re receiving is contradictory? When one trusted voice says to move forward while another says to wait? It’s tempting to wish for a one-size-fits-all playbook, a clear, step-by-step guide that guarantees success. Wouldn’t it be easier if life came with an instruction manual that removed the guesswork from major decisions?

But here’s the truth: there is no universal formula. And honestly, that’s a really good thing. Faith wouldn’t be necessary if every outcome was guaranteed, and it’s faith that makes the journey fun. Standing at the crossroads of a big decision, unsure of the outcome, doesn’t sound like fun but it’s in those moments of uncertainty that faith shines, turning the mundane into the extraordinary.

A guaranteed outcome might feel safe, but it’s also dull. Safe stories don’t inspire. Safe lives don’t transform. We’re not called to live safely. We’re called to step out to the edge, fix our eyes on Jesus, and trust Him completely.

This is the solution to navigating competing advice. Surrounding yourself with wise, brilliant, and experienced people is profitable and necessary. Read the books, attend the seminars, listen to the podcasts, and glean as much knowledge as you can. But none of this can replace the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

God doesn’t just want us to succeed, He wants to build it with us. The dreams and desires in your heart were placed there by Him, not so you’d work on them alone but so you’d invite Him into the process. He wants to sit with you as you strategize, dream, and plan. His wisdom is unmatched, His creativity unparalleled, and His ways far exceed human ingenuity.

He’s not just the initiator of your dream. He’s the overseer, the project manager, the foreman, the friend, and the co-laborer. It’s easy to forget this when setbacks arise, when momentum feels stalled, or when timelines stretch longer than expected. Yet, it’s in those moments of disappointment and frustration that we must remember to turn to Him.

This isn’t just a feel-good sentiment, it’s the most essential truth of the process. God’s faithfulness is constant, and He eagerly provides the help we need when we ask. He is the ultimate counselor, the one who knows the path ahead, and the one who walks it with us.

So yes, seek wisdom from others. Gather insights, learn from their successes and failures, and equip yourself with knowledge. But above all, listen to the still, small voice of the Spirit. He’s the one who will guide you through every twist and turn, ensuring that the foundation you’re building is strong, steady, and able to hold the weight of what’s to come.

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PRAYER NEEDS

A job in the city
An affordable home to rent
Monthly financial supporters
Faith and endurance