By Pastor Ryan Stockstrom

Harvest Church

There are times in life when God calls us to step out of our comfort zone. He might nudge us toward a new direction, ask us to take a stand, or invite us to pick up our cross and follow Him. And while others may not always understand or join us in those moments, the good news is this: we are never truly alone! If God has called you, He will go with you.

The Bible gives us a powerful picture of this through the life of Abraham. His father, Terah, began a journey toward Canaan—the land God ultimately promised—but stopped halfway in a city called Harran. It was familiar, comfortable, and predictable. Yet God called Abram to keep going, to move forward into the unknown.

“Abram went, as the Lord had told him.” (Genesis 12:4)

That small line carries weight. Sometimes faith is as simple—and as difficult—as saying ‘yes’ to God.

History is filled with men and women who had to move forward even when others couldn’t yet see the vision.

Thomas Edison’s early teachers called him “too stupid to learn anything”—yet he went on to create the modern light bulb. The Wright Brothers were dismissed as dreamers tinkering in a bicycle shop, but they kept working until human flight became a reality. Walt Disney was fired for “lacking creativity,” and Henry Ford was told ordinary people would never want automobiles. They all pressed on in moments when support was scarce, and their perseverance changed the world.

Scripture tells similar stories. Noah spent decades building an ark because God told him to, despite being misunderstood and ridiculed. He obeyed even when no one else believed a flood was coming.

Often, following God requires the courage to take a step of obedience even when you appear to be walking alone.

Jesus spoke directly about this type of commitment:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Taking up our cross is not about carrying around physical crosses but about being obedient to the vision God has called you toward today.

Hebrews 11, often called the “Hall of Faith,” highlights people who counted the cost and still pressed forward. Abraham left everything familiar to follow God’s call. Moses chose mistreatment over the comforts of Egypt because he believed God’s reward was greater. Noah acted on things he could not yet see. Others endured hardship, persecution, and loss, trusting that God was leading them toward “a better country.”

Each of them chose obedience over comfort, faith over fear, and God’s voice over the approval of the crowd.

We face similar decisions today. Maybe your “better country” is a family that knows God more deeply. Maybe it’s the courage to share your faith. Maybe it’s freedom from patterns of life and sin that have held you back. Maybe it’s stepping into a calling God has placed on your heart. Sometimes that step begins with being willing to do what no one else in your circle is doing.

Leadership works the same way. True leaders often move first. They show up early, stay late, believe in the mission, and walk by conviction before results can be seen. Whether we realize it or not, we all lead someone—our families, friends, coworkers, neighbors. How we lead matters.

But while there are times we must walk forward even without full support, there are also wisdom-filled moments when we should not go alone—
especially when Scripture warns against it, when trusted people advise caution, or when a decision could harm those around us. Wise counsel is a gift from God.

Yet even in decisions where support is thin, the promise of God stands firm:

We are never truly alone.

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

“I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

“Nothing… will be able to separate us from the love of God.” (Romans 8:38–39)

So what vision has God placed in your heart?

Is it to step into a real relationship with Him?

To put down spiritual roots at a church?

To pursue a calling, a career shift, a ministry, or a new beginning?

To build something healthy and lasting for the next generation?

Whatever God is stirring in you, don’t be afraid to begin— even if you have to go it alone.

Because with Him, you never truly are.