Steady in the Valley: A 7-Day Leadership DevotionalSample

When Only God Knows: Courageous Curiosity

God’s Word

"And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest." Ezekiel 37:3 (KJV)

Leadership Reflection

After being led into the valley and guided around the bones, something shifts. God is no longer just leading Ezekiel. He now speaks to him directly. This movement from guidance to dialogue marks a significant moment in Ezekiel’s encounter. God invites him into partnership through a single, piercing question: “Son of man, can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37:3, KJV).

Ezekiel is surrounded by what is clearly lifeless. The bones are very many and very dry (Ezekiel 37:2, KJV). Yet God challenges him to imagine a possibility that defies everything he sees. Ezekiel’s response is not filled with certainty, strategy, or self-reliance. Instead, he says, “O Lord God, thou knowest” (Ezekiel 37:3, KJV). It is a response shaped by humility, not fear. He knows that only God holds the answer.

This is a wise and honest posture, one that many leaders struggle to adopt. In times of pressure, we often feel expected to know what to do, to have a plan, to speak confidently, even when clarity is lacking. But Ezekiel shows us something different. He offers his curiosity instead of conclusions. He brings surrender instead of solutions.

Today, many leaders are walking through valleys of disruption. The ground beneath us feels unstable. Structures that once felt secure no longer hold. Expectations remain high while clarity remains low. In this disorienting space, God is not looking for perfect answers. He is inviting us into deeper trust.

Ezekiel’s moment is echoed in other parts of Scripture. When Moses stood before the burning bush, he did not respond with confidence. He asked God, “When I come unto the children of Israel... and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?” (Exodus 3:13, KJV). God answered with revelation: “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14, KJV). Likewise, when Mary heard the angel’s announcement, she asked, “How shall this be?” (Luke 1:34, KJV). Both moments were marked by honest questioning, not by polished certainty. And in both cases, God responded with grace, not rebuke.

Spiritual maturity is not proven by having the right answers. It is demonstrated by asking the right questions. Questions create space for revelation. They open our hearts to hear from God. They foster connection with Him, with ourselves, and with others. When we show up with curiosity rather than control, we allow room for something sacred to unfold.

Ezekiel teaches us that God often places us in uncomfortable spaces, not to punish, but to prepare. First, Ezekiel was led. Then, he was set down. Then, he was guided to observe slowly, only after all that came the moment of dialogue. This sequence matters. Before God speaks through us, He forms something within us. We are called to be still, to see clearly, and to stand with God in what feels impossible. Intentional transformation takes root in that sacred tension between silence and speaking, between questions and answers, between death and resurrection.

Soul Check

• Where are you feeling pressure to have answers?
• What would it look like to replace that pressure with holy curiosity?
• What question do you need to ask God today, not to fix something, but to deepen your connection?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for asking questions that draw me deeper into Your presence. When I feel pressured to solve or speak too soon, remind me that curiosity is a gift. Teach me to respond like Ezekiel with wonder, humility, and trust. Help me ask better questions so I can know You more fully and lead with more grace. Amen.