The Next Step

Are you in a place of struggle today that seems useless and wondering what the next step is? Are you just biding your time, waiting for the next big thing to happen? Are you always looking into the future and forgetting that the sovereign Lord is in charge of your right now as well as your future?

I am LOVING Priscilla Shirer’s Bible study, Discerning the Voice of God. Although I did the first version of this study many years ago (and it’s always been one of my favs), this is a subject I need to study again and again.

If you’ve never done this study, I HIGHLY recommend it! If you’ve done it before, do it again!

Today as I was studying week five, I was reminded of why each season and circumstance in my life is preparation for the “next thing” and I should submit to it, asking God what He needs for me to learn today.

The first time I led a women’s group I had no idea God would move me from my church in Carthage, TX to a larger church in another city. I had no idea God would lead me to a part time and, eventually, full time position on my Green Acres Baptist Church staff in Tyler, TX. I had no idea God would move me from that city to Nashville, TN to serve at LifeWay.

Every single step above and all those in between were all a part of the process.

On a family level, I had no idea that I would experience infertility early in our marriage. I had no idea that I would learn to follow Christ’s purpose for my life as I dealt with this unexpected experience. I had no idea we would later have the joy of adopting twin daughters. And I certainly had no idea we would end up with 7 grandchildren, plus 7 more through marriage and remarriage between those daughers.

Every single step of our family’s experiences were learning processes as well. At each step we experienced what we would need for the next experience.

In her study, Priscilla talks about the nameless servant girl in 2 Kings 5:2-3. Kidnapped as a child, she is found serving her master Naaman’s wife and eventually encouraging him to talk to prophet Elisha to find a cure to his leprosy. She had no idea when, she was taken, how God would use her in this way. But we find her serving as God uses her to speak into the situation. And Naaman is healed and recognizes the true God.

Sometimes we stop and wait for God to reveal the next thing. What a waste! Perhaps one reason He hasn’t spoken is that you aren’t serving right where you are. Maybe you aren’t doing what is needed for you to learn in your current place something you will need at the next place!

In Jeremiah 29:11 we read: “For I know the plans I have for you “— this is the Lord’s declaration — “plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Now, this is spoken about when God would end the 70 years of Israel’s Babylonian captivity, but I believe the principle is for us today. God KNOWS all things. He has planned our lives from the womb. And He knows best how to bring them about.

Paul talks about being set apart in his mother’s womb (Galatians 1:15). Jeremiah says he was called and set apart in his mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). And in Romans 8:28, we are told that ALL things work together for good, for those who love Him and live according to His purpose! 

So if God knows our life plan since before we are born, then can we NOT trust Him with our daily assignments? Can we be faithful no matter how unrelated we think these daily tasks are to our bigger picture?

Take-aways:

1. Start each day asking God, “What do you have for me to learn of You this day?”
2. Serve Him faithfully right where you are today.
3. Remember, He knows your purpose and His plan for your life.
4. Trust Him in the mundane tasks of life while watching for each next instruction He is giving you.
5. Know that the next thing may never be today’s thing, if you don’t do today’s thing first!

Priscilla says, “Never think your circumstances are disconnected from His leading and His will….Just keep following, expecting  God to walk you into His purpose or to walk with you into different circumstances…The Holy Spirit reveals God’s plan to you as He orchestrates the circumstances of your life. ”

Take the step in front of you today! “Do the next thing.” It’s essential for your next step!

Banner photo by Clint McKoy on Unsplash