“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.’”
– Ruth 1:16 NIV

You’ve prayed. You’ve waited. You’ve asked God for direction. Now, here He is—making a way. But instead of taking the next step, you’re waiting—for a feeling, a perfect moment or absolute certainty. 

We overthink our way out of obedience all the time. “What if I’m not ready?” “What if I fail?” “What if this isn’t really God?” But faith is about moving forward while trusting that God will meet you there.

Scripture tells us that those who watch the wind, waiting for all conditions to be perfect will not sow (Ecclesiastes 11:4). Maybe it’s time for you to take your eyes off the wind. Maybe it’s time to shift from questioning God’s movement to aligning yourself with it. Maybe it’s time to perceive what He’s already doing and take that step—no matter how small. 

Sometimes, you just know. There are moments in life when logic, timing and even wise counsel tell you one thing—but deep inside, you sense God leading you in another direction. This is what conviction looks like. It’s not reckless decision-making, and it’s not a lack of wisdom—it’s faith in action.

Ruth had every logical reason to return to Moab with her sister-in-law, Orpah. It was the practical choice. Naomi had no more sons, no clear future, and no guarantee that things would turn out well in Bethlehem (Ruth 1:11-13). But something in Ruth knew. She didn’t have all the details; she didn’t have a perfect plan. But she had conviction (Ruth 1:16-17).

And she moved on that conviction.

This is the kind of faith that pushes you forward even when everyone else is turning back. When others leave the church, but you know you’re supposed to stay. When you take a job that doesn’t make sense to anyone else, but deep down, you’re sure of it. When people question why you’re stepping into ministry, moving to a new city or launching something new, and all you can say is, “I just know.”

Yes, wise counsel is important. Yes, moving in peace matters. And yes, getting your ducks in a row has its place. But there will be times when all you have is that deep, unshakable knowing that God is leading you.

This is where faith is built—when you take a chance on something you can’t fully explain. 

Faith isn’t just about certainty; it’s about movement. 

Sometimes, you’ll get it exactly right, and later, you’ll see how God’s hand was in it all along. Other times, you may take a step and realize you misheard—but here’s the beautiful thing: God can handle your missteps. He can redirect you. He honors a heart oriented toward obedience, even when we’re still learning to hear Him clearly.

Ruth’s faith led her into a future she couldn’t have imagined. She became part of the lineage of Christ. But it started with one decision—one moment of bold conviction when she refused to turn back.

Sometimes, faith means going alone. Sometimes, it means missing it. But the power of faith is that it moves you forward, even when the outcome isn’t clear. And when God is leading you, even what doesn’t make sense now will make sense later.