The final bell has been sounded, and the crowded hallways have cleared. You have definitively made it to summer break. For some, this is an exciting time, but for others like myself, this time of shift can be quite daunting and uncertain. If you are anything like me, perhaps you have no idea what your next step will be in this crazy thing we call life. I know it can be frightening, but rest assured, this transition is only part of your destination.

Now before we go any further, I want you to think for a moment and mentally jot down all the times God has failed you or let you down. Go ahead, start your list. How many times has your plan been better than His? If you’re honest, your list will be blank. He always knows far better than we ever could, and He knows where we are headed, even when we do not.

I am sure all of you intelligent readers have heard of the phrase “cause and effect,” but allow me to refresh your memories. A cause is why something happens, and the effect is what happens. In order for there to be an effect, there must first be a cause that sets it into motion. Aside from this “cause and effect” expression, there is also an age-old science lesson we can learn from.

Newton’s Third law states: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” This seems pretty self-explanatory right? If we really break this down into obvious terms, it simply means this: in order for there to be a result or a reaction, something has to be done to initially signal the result. Growth does not ever occur in a state of complete idleness. It takes some preparation and energy to get things accomplished.

Now that we have established these facts, let us see how they can fit into our own lives. While it’s clear that we may not know all the details, we must serve while we remain in waiting. We must initialize the cause if we desire the effect. We must lead with the action in order to attain the reaction.

I just recently had the privilege of graduating from Urshan College. Through my time there, I learned many lessons and went through things that completely changed my life. Two very close friends taught me an unexpected lesson most recently. They wrote a song about knowing what God sounds like, entitled “Carry On.” The reason this song was an incredible example is for the distinct motive behind it. Often we deem ourselves unworthy of our callings and feel lost in a crowd or forgotten. We frequently find ourselves looking for writings on the wall or play-by-play utterances from the audible voice of God before we take our next steps. We may not hear Him the way we expect to, but if we listen closely, we can understand just what He sounds like and that He cares so specifically for each of us. We may feel uncertain at times, but that is no reason to give up.

“And when I don’t see myself as something special / I just look around and I can see that You’re telling me otherwise / But I know Your voice / I know the tone by which You speak / This melody in me lets me know how much You care / It gives me joy and that joy, it gives me strength / the strength to have the faith to carry on.”

You may not know where you are going or what the end result will be, but you will never get anywhere if you choose to stay motionless. It is impossible to steer a parked car or get anywhere if you are standing still. There will be moments of quiet, instants of doubt and some trials along the way, but keep pressing. Everyone around you may be trying to steer your way for you—but no matter the voice—it is your life and ultimately your decision as to which conclusion you reach. So seek wisdom, but also always remember, they are not you.

Continue traveling down the road that is open and indefinite even if you have no idea where it may lead. Remember, we walk by faith and not by sight. Institute the cause; you will see the effects. Launch the action; you will soon see the results of the reaction. This is easily proven in Psalms 119:105: “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Lamps are not meant to illuminate far into the distance. Often they only light a small area, sometimes even just the area where our feet are standing.

Do not be afraid. You may have no idea where you are going, but it helps to know you are not going there alone.

Rachel Thorne was born in Florida and has lived in many places throughout the United States. She is a graduate of Urshan College, formerly known as Gateway College of Evangelism. She wants to make a difference and change her world. Rachel is actively seeking the will of God for her life and is willing to do whatever He has for her.