The mind of man plans his way [Decision], but the LORD directs his steps [Action]. (Proverbs 16:9 NASB)
Remember the three frogs on a log? One decided to jump down… how many were left? Three… because deciding to do something and doing it are two different things. In order for a decision to mean anything, you have to do something about it. You don’t just decide to get married; you buy the ring, set the date and plan the wedding. You don’t just decide you’re going to get a job; you get your resume ready, fill out applications, make phone calls, pound the pavement. You don’t just decide you’re going to make some changes in your life; you make them. Decisions mean nothing without actions to back them up. It’s a little like hearing the word of God and not doing anything about it.
That means that once you decide for door #3 you have to open the door and walk through it into whatever it is that door holds for you. You back up your decision by taking whatever steps that decision requires you to take. And the amazing promise is that the Lord will direct your steps as you go.
This verse tells us a lot about how this works. It says that the Lord directs our steps, but who takes those steps? We do. The Lord doesn’t take them for us. We don’t stand there and wait for him to move our legs. We step out—we take action—and the Lord somehow directs our steps as we go along. Strange, mysterious, but true.
So that means you can’t just wait around for God to do something. You do it. You step out, because God will do something through your steps. He directs as we walk. He works as we work. He talks as we talk.
It’s a little like a cartoon I saw once of an artist painting a picture, except that he himself was being painted at that very moment by a very large brush in a very large hand.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2: 12-13)
John Fischer The Catch 
Amen brother!! In my 81 yrs. of life, 68 yrs. as a believer, and 65 yrs. as a preacher, I have to say that you really nailed it! Few believers understand it… and it’s such a simple concept: “…by faith Abraham, called to go to a country never before visited, went … ” You correctly put the “go” in the great commission!
I’m so glad I found your blog! You spoke in chapel in the late 90’s when my husband (then fiance) and I went to Southwestern College in AZ. You spoke about not differentiating between “secular” and “Christian” (or something to that effect) and we just loved it. You came up to us after that week and said, “Whenever I speak to a crowd I look for the frowners and the smilers and try to maintain eye contact with them. You two were my smilers.” 🙂 I had forgotten all about that until my little girls wanted me to sing a “new song” before bed, and I sang “Have you seen Jesus” to them.
Glad you found us!
I think I chuckled out loud when I read your devotion. A group in our community has been working on securing funding the the BackPacks for Fridays progam It is a program that sends food home with children who are at high risk of having little or no food in the house. I’d been procrastinatin, asking for money it at the top of my ” No way” list . I’d gotten by brochures ready to go yet still I was trying to think of more ideas. Right after I read your devo, I chucked, thought “Can you get blunter, Lord?” and took off. I’m getting sleepy but I wish I coud tell you the whole story how I was directed to visit with Donnie and we had quite a discussion! Thank you John. You advice was another Godcidence, coming at just the right time. Getting sleepy, not responsible for eamils after 10. My brain shuts down at 5…