Day 11 – March 15, 2025

My Story of Trusting God’s Plan – by Matthew Stegherr

After graduating from college, I realized that the path I had spent years preparing for wasn’t the one God had in mind for me. Despite earning my degree, I quickly understood that my future was not in the field I had studied. So, I returned to the food and beverage industry, which had supported me through college. During this time, I was not attending church or living the faithful life I knew I should. Yet, I found myself constantly asking God to bless my life according to my plan and timing. I wanted God to give me a high-paying job in Atlanta, introduce me to the perfect spouse, and make everything happen as quickly as possible.

This went on for years, until one day, an old high school friend reached out to me out of the blue. He was a man of deep faith, with a strong family and a career in government contracting in Huntsville. I explained how tough the job market in Georgia was and how I was searching for a career I could truly be passionate about. He offered to set up some meetings to explore the job market in Huntsville, which I reluctantly agreed to—though in the back of my mind, I told myself, I will never move to Alabama.

A couple of weeks later, I traveled to Huntsville to meet with the contacts he had set up. The final meeting was with his boss at the time, and just a few hours after I left for home, my friend called to tell me that the meeting had gone well, and they were going to post an entry-level position. He encouraged me to apply and strongly suggested I consider moving to Huntsville.

At that point, I was still holding on to the hope that God would provide for me in Georgia. But, with some hesitation, I applied for the position. The next day, they called me for an interview. A few days later, I drove the four-hour journey to meet with the company, and as I was driving home, they called to offer me the job.

I asked for some time to think about it and promised I would call them back later that afternoon. As I prayed, I asked God if this was His plan for me, or if He was simply going to let me follow the path I wanted. The thoughts running through my mind were overwhelming: I would have to move to a place where I only knew one person, I would be making significantly less money than before, I would be leaving my family and my support system.

At that moment, God was asking me to take a leap of faith and trust that He would provide, even if it didn’t fit into my own plans. As I prayed, I felt a sudden sense of calm and peace that I couldn’t explain. It was as though God was reassuring me, “Trust Me. I have a plan for you.” In that moment, my relationship with God changed. I stopped asking Him to bless my plan and began to trust in His greater plan for my life.

I took the job. Over time, I found my church home, met my wife, had three beautiful children, and am now living my life according to God’s will. Looking back, I can see that God led me down a path I never could have imagined for myself, but I am so grateful for the blessings He has given me along the way.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the unexpected paths that lead us right to where we should be. Kicking and screaming, we hold tight to what we know or envision for ourselves, but you have such great things in store for us if we just trust you. Ease our hearts to lean into your word and your love, Lord. And may all we do be pleasing to you today and every day. Amen.