--- title: Even Obedient People Get Strange Directions description: Discover how church staff can find encouragement in the unexpected paths of God's confusing directions, offering insights and reflections for navigating ambiguity and uncertainty in leadership - tune in to the latest episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast. image: https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/Even%20Obedient%20People%20Get%20Strange%20Directions.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/encouragement-church-staff-unexpected-paths-510#main-content) [![cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95.webp?width=342&height=95&name=cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95.webp "cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95")](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) - [How We Help](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/what-we-do/) - [How We Help Candidates](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [How We Help Churches](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/church/) - [Our Team](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/team/) - [Our Mission & Strategy](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/what-we-do/) - [Churches](https://chemistrystaffing.com/church) - [Hire New Staff](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/2021-churches-new-staff-hiring/) - [Free 30-Minute Church Consult](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Chemistry Solutions – You Don’t Have to Do Ministry Alone](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/solutions/) - [Final Fit Assessment](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/final-fit-assessment/) - [Senior Pastor Succession](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/succession/) - [Job Seekers](https://chemistrystaffing.com/candidate) - [Add My Resume / Profile](https://chemistry.fyi/kwq) - [Current Openings](https://chemistrystaffing.com/jobs) - [Free Resume Assessment](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/free-resume-self-assessment/) - [Step-by-Step Job Search](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/cjb) - [How Chemistry Can Help](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [Resources](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) - [Free Playbooks & Downloads](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/) - [Chemistry Blog](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/) - [2024 Youth Pastor Compensation Survey](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/2024-yp-compensation-survey/) - [Contact Us](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Candidates](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate-contact-page/) - [Churches](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) - [Find a Job](https://chemistrystaffing.com/jobs) - [My Church is Hiring](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) [Leadership](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/tag/leadership) # Even Obedient People Get Strange Directions Discover how church staff can find encouragement in the unexpected paths of God's confusing directions, offering insights and reflections for navigating ambiguity and uncertainty in leadership - tune in to the latest episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast. ![Mary and Joseph, Leadership, Divine Call, Obedience, Church leadership](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/Even%20Obedient%20People%20Get%20Strange%20Directions.png) # Unexpected Paths: An Encouragement for Church Staff In the Unwrapped Christmas series on the [Healthy Church Staff Podcast](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2210840/episodes/18365398), we delve into an often overlooked aspect of the nativity narrative - God's confusing directions. This facet of the Christmas story carries crucial insights for those in church leadership. ## Navigating ambiguity The holy couple, Mary and Joseph, were model observers of faith and obedience. Yet, even they found themselves navigating ambiguous directions from God. They had to flee the country without any prior planning, later to return to Israel, then rerouting to Galilee again. These abrupt changes and lack of clarity can make faith seem irrational, or even reckless. For many ministry leaders, such situations might resonate. You might have experienced times when you've questioned your divine calling because the path ahead seemed unclear, riddled with unexpected challenges, or even appeared counterintuitive. ## Obedience Amidst Uncertainty However, the Christmas narrative is a reminder that being in God's will doesn't always equate to a clear or logical path. Sometimes, a call of faith might involve walking into the unknown, making the best decisions given the circumstances, and not always understanding the divine plan. If you're currently reflecting on the complex and uncertain circumstances surrounding your leadership role, remember, the presence of confusion or chaos does not indicate that you're off the divine path. It could simply mean that you're being guided step by step. ## Reflection for Leadership Here are some reflection points to ponder today: - Could God be asking you to take a step that doesn't seem logical? - What could change if you trusted His character more than your understanding? It's crucial to remember that faith doesn't always look like clarity. Sometimes, it's about taking the next step into the darkness and recognizing that sometimes, strange directions from God are not a test of your faith, but a demonstration of His trust in you. Christmas serves as a powerful reminder that leaders, too, can navigate ambiguous circumstances with faith, building their path one step at a time. For more on managing faith amidst uncertainty, tune into today's [Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2210840/episodes/18365398). Enjoy your Christmas preparations and have a peaceful holiday season. ### [![Todd Rhoades](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) Todd Rhoades](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/author/todd-rhoades) Todd has invested over 30 years in serving churches, having served as a worship pastor for over 15 years, a church elder for more than a decade, and in various ministry leadership roles in both the business and non-profit sectors. As the original founder and developer of ChurchStaffing.com, Todd fundamentally changed the way thousands of churches search for pastors and staff on the internet. Todd is a graduate of Cedarville University, and lives in Bryan, OH with his wife, Dawn. [![Facebook Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/toddrhoades3) [![Twitter Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/toddrhoades) [![Linkedin Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddrhoades/) [![Website Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/web.svg)](http://chemistrystaffing.com/todd-rhoades) ## Latest Resources Browse Articles ![What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_158.png) #### What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis Church decline isn't what you think. Discover what's really threatening the church today vs. 1776 and the 1900s—and why low numbers aren't ... ![What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades July 07, 2026 ![Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your ](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_126.png) #### Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your "Failed" Bible Study is Actually a Discipleship Goldmine When attendance drops in your small group discipleship ministry, don't panic. 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Learn why competency should trump credentials in your ministry staff se... ![Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) ###### Todd Rhoades July 06, 2026 [![Elements Logo](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/logos/logo.svg "Elements Logo")](http://chemistrystaffing.com) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturor adipiscing elit. Tincidunt donec vulputate ipsum erat urna auctor. 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