Do the Next Thing

John 19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve said a billion times (indulge my exaggeration) ‘I don’t know what to do!’ We are commanded to “look to Jesus” on the cross in order to know how to handle our time of suffering and hardship (Hebrews 12:2). A lesson we can learn from Christ on the cross is this: make practical preparations, in the midst of your sorrow.

When we face overwhelming grief, unrelenting discouragement, or pounding pain, it is often hard to know what to do. We tend to want to roll up in a ball and hope that the storm will pass or that some easy solution will present itself.

However, the right response, even in times of great suffering, is to make practical preparations in the midst of your sorrow. You must still get out of bed, or go to work, or do the laundry, or pay the bills, or play with the children, or write up your will — no matter how low you may feel, ignoring your responsibilities will not help any problem go away.

Here was Jesus, in the darkest moment of human history, bearing the brunt of man’s and God’s wrath. No one has ever been in as low a state as Jesus was at this time. And, yet, he is making simple, mundane preparations for after his death. He is making sure that his mother will be cared for.

Elizabeth Elliot calls this fundamental need to face reality the “do the next thing” principle. When you don’t know what to do next, she says, do the next thing. This is excellent and practical advice: Do it immediately, do it with prayer.

Jesus is coming back, this is a fact. Meanwhile, we are to be helpful every day, even the worst of days and in times of great trial.  Don’t know what to do? The Bible tells us. Paul gave us the specifics in 1 Thessalonians 5:

And we urge you, brothers,
·         warn those who are idle,
·         encourage the timid,
·         help the weak,
·         be patient with everyone.
·         Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,
·         but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
·         Be joyful always;
·         pray continually;
·         give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
·         Do not put out the Spirit's fire;
·         do not treat prophecies with contempt.
·         Test everything.
·         Hold on to the good.
·         Avoid every kind of evil…

If you don’t know WHAT to do, this should keep you occupied!  We must walk through the times of trouble in faith, continue to take care of life's practical needs AND be helpful to those around us. Do the next thing. Do it immediately, do it with prayer

God, You are the one at work in us. By Your Spirit , through Your Word, I ask that You will speak to me clearly now. What specific things do You want to do through me to be helpful today? Lead me. Guide me. I trust You do it through me. Amen.