“Pastor, should I take the job?”
“Pastor, is this person the one for me?”
“Pastor, what is God saying about my future?”
Daniel asked these questions almost every day.
He trusted his pastor so much that he stopped seeking God for himself.
One day, Daniel received a life-changing job opportunity in another city. He went to his pastor for confirmation.
After praying, the pastor said, “Don’t go. God has something better for you here.”
Daniel obeyed.
Months later, he discovered that the same company had grown into one of the biggest companies in the country. The opportunity he rejected could have completely changed his life.
Daniel was broken.
That night, he sat on his bed with his Bible in his hands and asked himself:
“Do I really know God, or do I only know what people tell me about God?”
For the first time, he realized that he had been depending on a man for a relationship that God wanted him to have personally.
He began reading the Bible himself.
He started praying—not just for answers, but to know God.
He learned to listen, study, discern, and seek God's will personally.
He still respected his pastor. He still listened to spiritual counsel.
But his pastor was no longer his connection to God.
One day, Daniel told him,
“Sir, I depended on you too much.”
His pastor replied,
“And I should have taught you to seek God for yourself.”
That statement stayed with Daniel forever.
Your pastor can guide you, but he cannot seek God for you.
A prophet can speak into your life, but you must learn to discern.
A teacher can explain Scripture, but you must study it yourself.
Someone can tell you about God, but they cannot know Him for you.
Don't let someone else's relationship with God become a substitute for yours.
Seek Him.
Read His Word.
Pray.
Ask questions.
Listen.
Discern.
Because when every human voice becomes silent, you should still be able to say:
“I know my God.”