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:
From an old English parsonage down by the sea,
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven,
Has to my thinking the teaching of heaven;
And on through the hours the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “Doe the Nexte Thynge.”
Jesus would have you daily more free,
Knowing the might of this royal decree;
Ever in waiting, glad for His call,
Tranquil in chastening, trusting through all.
Comings and goings no turmoil need bring,
His all your future: “Doe the Nexte Thynge.”
Do it immediately, do it with prayer,
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before you with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave the results to Him: “Doe the Nexte Thynge.”
We are living in frenetic days, days so busy that they can squeeze eternity right out of our minds and hearts. Time’s ever increasing pace sweeps us past the quiet place, the sanctuary of the soul, pushing us out into the stormy hours without even a glance at the map or compass, without a word to the Captain. Days turn into weeks…into years…into decades. The urgent things of life, rarely of eternal significance, push out the important things, which rarely seem to be urgent. I can always witness to my neighbor or study my Bible or visit the fatherless and widow tomorrow–or so my harried schedule tells me. But it isn’t true, of course. I have no tomorrows, only today. And now is the time to doe the 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 Lord didn’t promise us wisdom for situations that have 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 perfect.” His commandments are not grievous. His yoke is easy, His burden light. Personal enjoyment (though thought to be man’s inalienable right) is not the basis for a servant doing a work for God.
Sometimes I don’t do the next thing because I feel I am not up to the challenge. But He is the kindest Master and never gives us something that is beyond our Spirit-aided capacity to do. He would say to us as He said to another: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s ready response: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9).
If I respond to the nudgings of the Spirit, I can be certain of the following:
1. The nexte thynge for you to do will be a vital component of God’s cosmic plan for the universe. The Lord is offering you and me the opportunity to have a significant part in the governing of the universe.
2. The nexte thynge gives us the thrilling privilege of seeing God turn time into eternity by taking our ordinary lives and doing extraordinary things in them.
3. The nexte thynge can certainly be accomplished because all the resources of heaven are made available to the child of God who is about his Father’s business.
4. The nexte thynge could be the last thing on the Lord’s list for me do do before His return. One of these days will be the last. Remember: you can never do a good thing too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late. Doe the nexte thynge.