EDITORIAL
THE NEXTE THYNGE Is it possible to walk in step with the will of God? Begin with the next step.
I
have discovered in life that it isn’t the work you do that tires you; it is the work you ought to do but leave undone. In an old poetry book which I value there is an anonymous poem called “Doe the Nexte Thynge.” It says:
not arrived yet. He is the God who is “a very present help,” a help in the nick of time. Sometimes I don’t do the next thing because I think other tasks would be more enjoyable to perform. The tough jobs slip to the bottom of the pile. But the Lord has promised that His will is “good and acceptable and From an old English parsonage down by the sea, perfect.” His commandments are not grievous. His yoke There came in the twilight a message to me; is easy, His burden light. Personal enjoyment (though Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven, thought to be man’s inalienable right) is not the basis for Has to my thinking the teaching of heaven; a servant doing a work for God. And on through the hours the quiet words ring Sometimes I don’t do the next thing because I feel I Like a low inspiration: “Doe the Nexte Thynge.” am not up to the challenge. But He is the Jesus would have you daily more free, The next step kindest Master and never gives us something Knowing the might of this royal decree; is probably that is beyond our Spirit-aided capacity to do. Ever in waiting, glad for His call, down. He would say to us as He said to another: Tranquil in chastening, trusting through all. “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My Comings and goings no turmoil need bring, strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s His all your future: “Doe the Nexte Thynge.” ready response: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power Do it immediately, do it with prayer, of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9). Do it reliantly, casting all care; If I respond to the nudgings of the Spirit, I Do it with reverence, tracing His hand can be certain of the following: Who placed it before you with earnest command. Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ’neath His wing, 1. The nexte thynge for you to do will be a vital comLeave the results to Him: “Doe the Nexte Thynge.” ponent of God’s cosmic plan for the universe. The Lord is offering you and me the opportunity to have a signifiWe are living in frenetic days, days so busy that they cant part in the governing of the universe. can squeeze eternity right out of our minds and hearts. Time’s ever increasing pace sweeps us past the quiet 2. The nexte thynge gives us the thrilling privilege of place, the sanctuary of the soul, pushing us out into the seeing God turn time into eternity by taking our ordistormy hours without even a glance at the map or comnary lives and doing extraordinary things in them. pass, without a word to the Captain. Days turn into 3. The nexte thynge can certainly be accomplished weeks…into years…into decades. The urgent things of because all the resources of heaven are made available life, rarely of eternal significance, push out the importo the child of God who is about his Father’s business. tant things, which rarely seem to be urgent. I can always 4. The nexte thynge could be the last thing on the witness to my neighbor or study my Bible or visit the Lord’s list for me do do before His return. One of these fatherless and widow tomorrow—or so my harried days will be the last. Remember: you can never do a schedule tells me. But it isn’t true, of course. I have no good thing too soon because you never know how soon tomorrows, only today. And now is the time to doe the it will be too late. Doe the nexte thynge. nexte thynge. I think it’s fair to say that every Christian who is at all listening for the Shepherd’s voice generally knows what He wants us to do next. We may not know what to do regarding some big decision down the road, but the J. B. Nicholson, Jr. Lord didn’t promise us wisdom for situations that have
2
UPLOOK • MAY 2000