Have you ever been tempted to grab the pen from God and start writing your own story?
I have—more than once.
There were times in my life, especially during difficult leadership seasons, when it felt like God had gone quiet. The next chapter was a mystery, the plot wasn’t unfolding the way I expected, and I was desperate for control. So I reached for the pen, determined to fix, shape, or fast-forward the story.
But every time I did, I quickly discovered: the story I try to write on my own can’t hold a candle to the one God is already crafting.
Let God write your story—trusting the Author of your life is not passive resignation, but active surrender. It’s a courageous choice to follow a plot bigger than you can see, written by a God who knows the ending from the beginning.
Let’s take a closer look at what this really means and why it matters for Christian leaders today.
Recognize the True Author of Your Life
If your life is a story, someone’s holding the pen. And the question isn’t if a story is being written—it’s who’s writing it?
Hebrews 12:2 invites us to fix our eyes on “Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” That word “author” speaks of someone who initiates, directs, and completes. Jesus doesn’t just write the introduction—He writes every word, every chapter, and the glorious conclusion.
Psalm 139:16 echoes this truth: “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
God is not improvising. He’s not making things up as He goes. Your life isn’t a random collection of events—it’s a carefully composed narrative by a loving and sovereign Author.
And yet, so often we act like we know better. We edit. We try to skip hard chapters. We write alternate endings. But when we recognize who the real Author is, it changes everything. We no longer have to carry the weight of controlling the outcome. We simply need to follow the One writing the script.
Release the Pen: The Power of Surrender
Letting God write your story begins with a hard but holy decision: putting down the pen.
It’s not easy. We live in a culture that glorifies control, self-direction, and hustle. But God’s way is different. He calls us to trust when we can’t see, to wait when we want to run, and to follow even when we don’t understand the path.
Proverbs 3:5–6 says it best: “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.”
Surrendering the pen may look like:
- Letting go of a business plan that’s not bearing fruit and asking God what He wants instead.
- Trusting Him with your reputation in a conflict you can’t control.
- Saying “yes” to an open door that feels risky but aligns with His call.
- Waiting in faith when every instinct says to act.
Letting God write your story doesn’t mean you stop leading—it means you lead from a place of deep trust. It means your decisions, goals, and plans are filtered through prayer, humility, and obedience.
Rejoice in the Plot—Even the Unfinished Chapters
When you begin to let God write your story, you’ll start to see His fingerprints—even in chapters that felt like detours.
That failed business venture? Maybe it’s what led you to discover your true calling.
That painful betrayal? Perhaps it birthed a deeper dependence on God.
That waiting season? It may have prepared you for a future you couldn’t have handled before.
Think of Joseph. Betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused, and forgotten in prison, Joseph could’ve assumed his story was over. But in Genesis 50:20, he looks back and says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Joseph trusted the Author—and because of that, his story became part of God’s larger plan to save many lives.
The same can be true for you.
As Christian leaders, rejoicing in the plot doesn’t mean pretending everything’s okay. It means trusting the Author in the middle of the mess. It’s recognizing that God never wastes a moment and that even your unanswered prayers are part of a bigger purpose.
Final Encouragement
Here’s the truth: God is writing a story in you that’s more beautiful, more purposeful, and more eternal than anything you could craft on your own.
When you try to write your own story, you may find temporary success—but lasting peace, purpose, and joy come only when you trust the Author.
So today, wherever you are in your story—whether it’s a chapter of celebration, sorrow, confusion, or clarity—put the pen down.
Let God write your story. Trust the Author of your life. He knows what He’s doing. And He always writes masterpieces.
Action Steps for Leaders
Knowing that God is the Author is important. But living like you trust Him is where transformation happens. Here are five ways you can begin letting God write your story—starting today.
- Start Your Day with a Prayer of Surrender
Begin each morning by saying, “Lord, I give You the pen. I trust You to write my story today.” Let that be your anchor. - Hold Plans Loosely
Make plans, yes—but hold them with open hands. Be willing to shift direction if God makes it clear you should. - Revisit Past Chapters with Gratitude
Look back over difficult seasons and write down how God used them. What did He teach you? How did He grow you? - Involve God in Every Decision
Don’t just pray for the big moves—invite God into the daily ones. Trust often grows in the small steps of obedience. - Mentor Others to Trust the Author
Share your story with someone younger in the faith. Show them how you’ve seen God write beauty from ashes.
Discussion Questions for Reflection
Use these questions in personal reflection, with a small group, or with a leadership team to dig deeper into the theme of surrender and trust.
- Where in your life are you most tempted to take back the pen?
Is it your career, finances, relationships, or another area? - How has God used an unexpected chapter in your past for good?
What did you learn about His character through that season? - What does surrender look like for you this week?
Is there something you need to stop striving for or let go of? - Who are the people watching your leadership journey?
How can your trust in God be a testimony to them? - What’s one step you can take to deepen your trust in God’s authorship?
Consider prayer, journaling, Scripture reading, or seeking counsel.
More Articles
I have written several articles on dependence on God. You can find them by typing ‘Dependence on God’ in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are a few of the most recent articles.
- #634: The Power of Prayer in Leadership: A Story of Strength and Guidance
- #627: Unleashing Courage: The Key to Successfully Integrating Faith at Work
- #622: Facing Crisis: 5 Lessons from Jehoshaphat for Christian Leaders
- #599: Divine Intervention: 6 Lessons for Christian Business Leaders
- #596: Nothing is Impossible: Standing Courageously with God’s Hand Upon Us
Join the Conversation
As always, we welcome questions and comments. Are you holding on to the pen or letting God write your story?
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Category: Personal Development | Dependence on God
