“The heart of a man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 ESV). On our journey into Southeast Asia, I’ve sometimes felt hesitant about the first part of that verse. How do I plan? Which people group do we pursue? Where in the world should our next step be?
When the Lord gave us a vision for Bibleless peoples, the incredible need in the 10/40 Window made it seem the obvious place for us to serve. My wife and I had traveled in Southeast Asia and had a burden for its peoples. Inside this (overwhelmingly large) area, however, we didn’t know where to go.
We started training and praying. Sometimes we fasted. I began researching a country where the national language was similar to one I’d learned, but where the needs for Bible translation—along with the obstacles to it—were greater. We didn’t set out fleeces this time or ask for signs. It was both a strategic choice and one based on the burden I’d felt when traveling in this country.
After two years of training and two more years connecting with our home church, we had a decision to make: finish my linguistics studies in the States or move to Southeast Asia to study there.
We decided to move—and the doors began to open! We’ve made connections with workers living in the country next-door and doing things we’d been told were impossible. My professors invited us to meetings where we met people who have a heart for the people groups we’re researching. Veteran missionaries have given us helpful information. They helped us meet with national and indigenous believers.
There’s another verse about the Lord establishing our steps: “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23 ESV, italics added). I like the way this version renders it, because—as in Hebrew—it’s not entirely clear who’s who. Is it when the Lord delights in a person’s way, or vice versa? I wonder if this dilemma was intentional—inspired ambiguity? Certainly, both are true: when we are taking our deepest joy in Yahweh, and when we are living in a way that brings Him joy, He establishes us when we step out in faith to advance His kingdom.
Today, we have a plan to move into that country! We have connections with believers from an unreached people group who want their own people to receive God’s Word. We have teammates we are excited to team with. We couldn’t foresee any of this, and we can’t see the future. But what we can see is that the Lord has established our steps.
—an All-Nations member