I recently attended a Men’s conference at which I was greatly encouraged and strengthened. Although there were lots of messages, fellowship, breakout sessions, and prayer time there was one thing that seemed to sink in above anything else. It is that which I wanted to write my thoughts on to share with anyone else in hopes that they may be encouraged and challenged as I was.
How it came about
The odd thing is that I did not get this concept from a sermon, question & answer time, or any other conversation. It was actually in the midst of a prayer time, when all the men were sharing in prayer and requests, that one man, whom I did not know, stood up to pray. While he was praying he was asking God for strength, faith, and focus on Christ. But then he said a phrase that went like this: “Father, show us what the next right thing to do is.” For whatever reason the prayer seemed to stop right there for me with the words: next right thing ringing between my ears begging a response from my spirit.
Next Right Thing
This idea of the next right thing is very simple to understand. We are constantly caught up in either the past or the future. Wondering “Why did I do that?” or “Why did I say that?” takes much of our thought life and adds to our anxiety. Fearing “What will happen?” or “What will they think?” causes us to fear what might never come. Worst of all, this takes our attention off of Jesus and our responsibility of following Him in every aspect of our lives. The problem arises when we spend so much of our time thinking about what could be done and never actually get anything done.
The phrase next right thing is a plea to all Christians to pause and ask God: “What is the next right thing to be done?” When it is revealed to you, which He will assuredly do, you do it. You begin to live life in the present which is a second by second following of Christ. Unconcerned about the next 5 minutes, not worrying about the last 5 minutes, rather simply looking forward to the next second, seeking God in the next right thing.
Example
My favorite example of this is the conversion of the Apostle Paul. The Bible says that while Paul, called Saul at the time, was “still breathing” (Acts 9:1) against the body of Christ and seeking to persecute followers of Jesus that he fell to the ground when Jesus revealed Himself to Saul. The first thing to come out of the mouth of Paul, after asking for the identity of Jesus, was: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” This is such an incredible example of the Christian life. Paul was no longer concerned about where he was going, his past, his future, what would happen to his family, finances, friends, etc. He simply looked to Jesus and asked for the next right thing. And, of course, Jesus gave him the instructions. (Acts 9:6)
Challenge
Therefore I challenge everyone who reads this. As you finish this short article don’t go off to the pressing matter that awaits you. Don’t run off to the next article or YouTube video that is begging for your attention. I plead with you to simply stop, take a moment to humble yourself before God and ask Him the simple question: “Father, what is the next right thing you would have me do?” Then wait, seek, and He will show you. That might be taking the trash out, washing the dishes, texting a friend, encouraging a loved one, etc. Most of the time it’s not some flashy big thing that will earn you lots of praise. Most of the time it is the mundane things that He will bring you to. The moments in life that serve as “washing one another’s feet”. But these are the things that make you like Jesus. These are the things that bring glory to God. Therefore, “whatsoever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Response
- Praise God for divinely providing opportunities and tasks for you daily.
- Confess to God all the times that you have neglected the next right thing
- Ask God to show you the next right thing and to keep you constantly seeking Him in the matter
- Thank God for His care of you and His providential design in your life