The Next Right Thing

How often have you hesitated to move forward with a decision because you weren’t certain it’s the will of God?

Maybe we define our life’s destination as reaching the summit and overlook all the steps that it takes to scale that mountain.
What is that next step you need to take?
That is the will of God for you. Don’t get stuck where you are because it looks and feels different than what you originally figured.
Move. Take that step. Do the next right thing.

Ask that person whom you have wronged, for forgiveness.
Write that song. Start that book.
Invest in that group. Gather people and start a support group!
Invent that machine, discover a new species.
Reach out to that neighbor.
Make that phone call.
Book that ticket.
Send that text message of blessing.
Serve. Give. Bless. Love on people.

The next right thing. This is the will of God.
A mountain is scaled, one step at a time.

Take that next step and you will find that you are in the center of God’s will.

Elisabeth Elliot popularized the following old poem –

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer
Do it reliantly, casting all care
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then as He beckons thee, do the next thing.