Life often feels like a carefully planned play, where we prepare, strategize, and expect things to unfold according to our vision. Yet, just as a quarterback can call an audible and change the play at the last second, God sometimes redirects our lives in ways we never anticipated. My own journey as a planner—both in my career as a fire chief and in my personal life—was upended when my wife Deanna went home to be with the Lord. All my meticulous plans were suddenly irrelevant, and I was left to wrestle with the reality of whether I truly trusted God with all my heart, or if I had been relying on my own understanding all along.

Proverbs 3:5-6 became a lifeline: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” These words are simple, but their depth is profound. It’s easy to say we trust God, but when life’s foundation is shaken, we discover the areas we’ve kept for ourselves, the places where we’ve asked God to bless our plans rather than seeking His will first. True faith means surrendering every area—family, work, finances, relationships, even our very purpose—to God’s direction, making Him the center of our lives rather than just another part.

A God-centered life is not about the absence of suffering or loss, but about trusting that God’s purposes will prevail, even when we don’t understand. We are called to seek Him in all things: through prayer, through the counsel of the Holy Spirit and the community of believers, and through obedience to His Word. God’s will is not a mystery reserved for the few; it is revealed as we humble ourselves, relinquish control, and walk in daily dependence on Him. Even in our pain and confusion, God is working all things together for good, drawing us and others closer to Himself.

Ultimately, our lives are not about our own achievements or plans, but about glorifying God, growing in Christ, and serving others. The gospel—the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection—is the centerpiece of God’s plan, the ultimate expression of His love and purpose for us. We are invited to trust Him fully, to let go of the exhausting burden of trying to be in control, and to rest in the assurance that He is the perfect planner, guiding us every step of the way.

Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome

[01:30] - Life’s Audibles and Lost Control

[02:34] - The Planner’s Dilemma

[06:46] - When God Changes the Plan

[10:20] - Faith Tested in Loss

[13:11] - Proverbs 3:5-6: Trusting God Fully

[15:42] - Blind Spots and Complacency

[18:10] - The Limits of Human Understanding

[19:39] - God’s Perspective vs. Ours

[22:36] - Surrendering to God’s Wisdom

[25:23] - God-Centered vs. Self-Centered Life

[27:07] - Living Out God’s Will in Relationships

[29:06] - Identity and Ministry in Christ

[30:37] - Seeking God’s Will: Practical Steps

[34:18] - Daily Dependence and Obedience

[36:20] - God’s Strategic Plan and Our Suffering

[38:13] - The Gospel: God’s Ultimate Will

[43:58] - Letting Go and Enjoying the Journey

[45:21] - Created for Relationship and Love

[47:48] - The Bible: God’s Plan for Restoration

[48:31] - The Cross: Centerpiece of God’s Will

[49:21] - Closing Prayer and Invitation