When the Waters Part: Learning to Trust the Big Picture

There are moments in the journey—whether it’s in the temple, in a difficult missionary discussion, or when you’re just trying to figure out what to do with your Saturday afternoon—when the path ahead looks utterly blocked. You look left, you look right, and all you see is water, or perhaps just a solid wall of doubt. It feels impossible.

I remember a time in my own mission preparation days when I felt that way. I was struggling to connect with a family, and every effort seemed to hit a brick wall. I felt like I was standing at the Red Sea, facing overwhelming opposition. I remember feeling that familiar wave of discouragement wash over me, the kind that makes you question if you’re meant to be in the field at all.

But as I kept my eyes fixed on the Lord, I started remembering the pattern we see in the scriptures, especially when we study the big picture moments. We see God leading His people through seemingly insurmountable odds. Our recent study through the Big Picture Monday context of Exodus 14-18 is a powerful reminder of this divine pattern.

The Divine Blueprint: Following the Lord’s Lead

When the Israelites were trapped between the pursuing Egyptians and the Red Sea, their natural inclination was panic. They looked at the obstacle, not at the Savior who was leading them. They saw the water; they didn't see the pillar of cloud, or the miracle that was coming.

This is such a vital lesson for us as disciples, whether we are in the MTC, in our assigned area, or even just studying in a Book Club. We are taught that the Lord doesn't just *suggest* a path; He *clears* it. He prepares the way.

It’s easy to get bogged down in the immediate details—the next call, the next lesson plan, the next doctrinal nuance. But if we zoom out, and look at the overarching narrative of covenant keeping, we see that the Lord’s plan is always bigger than our immediate comfort zone. He doesn't ask us to solve the whole problem; He asks us to trust Him with the next step.

This principle is so helpful when we are doing our own missionary preparation. Sometimes we get so focused on *what* we need to say in a missionary discussion that we forget to simply *be* present with the Spirit. The Spirit guides the words, but our willingness to follow the Lord’s direction—even when it feels counter-intuitive—is what parts the waters.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed this week, I encourage you to take a moment to pause. Don't just look at the problem; look for the guiding hand of the Lord. Where is He leading you *next*? Trust that He has already prepared the way for you to walk.

For those of us who are seasoned disciples, remember that our strength comes from our covenants, not our immediate resources. For those newer to the work, remember that every single member can be an internet missionary, a disciple anywhere, all the time.

A Little Prep Tip & A Way to Connect

As a small piece of mission prep advice this week: When you feel stuck in a conversation, don't rush to fill the silence. Instead, pause, take a deep breath, and ask the Spirit, "What do you want me to say right now?" That stillness is often where the greatest revelation comes.

If you want to dive deeper into how to navigate those tough questions—the ones that make you sweat a little—I highly recommend checking out Davee. He's been working hard on his AI Investigator role, and he can walk you through some common investigator questions and how to answer them with grace and clarity. It’s a fantastic tool for any disciple, regardless of mission status!

We are gathering together next week for a casual fellowship and discussion about applying these principles to our local efforts. Come join us! It’s a great place to share testimonies and strengthen our resolve as we continue the work.

If you want to keep building your foundation in scripture study, I’ve been enjoying the deep dives into the social scripture study layer within LivingBook lately—it really helps connect the dots between different passages. Give that a look!