Michael T. Hare

I haven’t written a blog post for a while, as I’ve been on a cross-country road trip with my family for the last four days. We’re heading from the rugged mountains of Wyoming to the lush environment of New Hampshire, and it’s a rather dramatic change—but for someone who grew up in The West, you begin to get fascinated by the lack of land-formations.

Today will be a 7-hour push to New York, making tomorrow our final drive until we finally reach New Hampshire. Being on the road has made writing both difficult and unique; new landscapes give me new stories, and I recently just had the inspiration to write a love story in Indiana. I’m currently staying in an Airbnb in Ohio, where the snow is coming down like a Hallmark movie. It’s as though Thanksgiving was Fall’s final finale (wow, say that five times fast).

I’m both excited and nervous to see what God has in store for me as I move into this new chapter. He has a way of surprising me, and though I’m not always fond of these ‘surprises,’ I do my best to follow His direction. I know He has a plan—He literally told Joshua to blow trumpets and shout to make the walls of Jericho crumble down despite the prospect being CRAZY!

If this is the same God who walked with me, sat next to me while I wrote my old stories, and brought me to Wyoming, I know I can trust Him with my life. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9) I don’t know where God is taking me, but I do know he is taking me on a journey, and he is directing my steps to the life I truly want.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. (Pslam 37:4) God makes it very clear that He is on our side and that He wants to grant us our desires. We often get discouraged during the journey when our steps don’t align with our perception of the word ‘journey.’ We become angry, annoyed, or sad, but I encourage you to talk to Him. My relationship with God is mostly built on conversations I’ve had on walks, where I say whatever’s on my mind, including the stuff I’m mad at Him for—I always calm down when I bring it to God.

Today, I challenge you to walk in the steps God has for you and to be open with Him during the journey. Praise him, talk to Him, question Him, be His friend. Being open and honest has strengthened my relationship with God, and He’s beginning to feel like a close friend of mine. My walks with Jesus aren’t going to stop, and throughout this exciting turn in my life, I will walk in His direction and keep my ear open for His voice.

Before I go, I also encourage you to treat your journey with Him like a road trip—enjoy the sights while you go, try new things, and bask in this unique time of your life. I promise you that Jesus has a plan, and He is working in your favor because He loves you.

Best wishes,

Michael!