D is for Do the Next Thing

I don't know about you, but there are days and sometimes whole periods of my life that have left me feeling empty. At these times, everything feels hard and scary and I don't know where to go or what to do. I wonder, Where are you, God? Are you here anymore? I know that at different times in my Christian walk, faith has been an act of will. And even then, the will is given through the mercy of the Holy Spirit, but it doesn't always come with the feelings I wish it would. Sometimes I think, Oh Lord, please help me to feel more than I feel in this life of faith. I feel like I am alone.

However I know that I am not alone.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-4)

No darkness can overcome Him.

Sometimes we let the darkness overcome us though, don't we. Sometimes I don't know where to go or what to do so I pray. I pray and then I do. This poem came into my mind this week because it is the story of my life. I can't stop doing what I do, but it is not always easy. No one said this life would be easy, but some days it is harder than others. So I do the next thing. God is there in the details of my life. He is there in yours. So I do the next thing. May this poem help you to see that you can too.

Do The Next Thing

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, as it seems to me,
Teaching from Heaven.
And on through the hours
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,
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 resultings,
DO THE NEXT THING

Looking to 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

-Author unknown

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