Whenever I find myself facing uncertainty about what’s next, I remind myself of the following scripture: “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future’ ” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV). But what do we do in the waiting? How do we discern the next right step? The answer that keeps coming back to me through scripture, sermons, and conversations lately is: Focus on being in right relationship with God, others, and the world.

Much of business, work, and life is about relationships. So what does being in right relationship look like?

1. Dependence on God. Only God is limitless. We are limited. God is the source of power and wisdom. 

2. Interdependence with others. Healthy relationships involve mutual reliance and interconnection. This is different from the extremes of people-pleasing or self-sufficiency. 

3. Independence from worldly ways (i.e., no false idols). A false idol is anything we put above God in our lives, such as money, power, pleasure, possessions, or another person. 

If you are facing uncertainty somewhere in your life right now, I encourage you reflect on which relationships could use improvement, and to pray relevant scriptures in those areas. Here are some scriptures (NIV) I have been praying:

Dependence on God:

• “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5 
• “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 

Interdependence with others:

• “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans 12:4-6 
• “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.” 1 Corinthians 12:21-23
• “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16 

Independence from worldly ways (no false idols):

• “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 
• “No one can serve two masters.” Matthew 6:24
• “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 

May your relationships be restored in ways that bring you and others joy and blessings!