“What next?” or “What now?”
“There
is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under
heaven”. Ecc. 3: 1 (NIV)
Although a day with one’s grandchild
usually proves to be an enjoyable experience, the frequent recurring question
of “What do we do now?” or “What are we going when--? often proves to be quite
exhausting. Unfortunately, it seems
like each of us carries at least a portion of this mindset of the “What next?”
pattern into our adulthood -- even into our religious life.
Our
scripture reading in Numbers reveals that the Israelites traveled and encamped
as God guided. Although we do not have
a pillar of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide our pathway
through life, most Christians believe that God still does guide us if we ask
Him. Unfortunately, instead of praying,
“God, what do you want me do while I am right here?” we usually pray asking,
“What do you want me do next?” We often
overlook that He may have a purpose for placing us exactly where we are
now! We can begin to better understand
God’s purpose for our life by discovering what He wants us to do now in
the place where He has led us!
Although we
may be waiting for a “big” assignment usually we serve God best not through
major deeds but rather by our friendly smile, or our concern, or our
encouragement of someone who is facing great difficulty. We should keep in mind Jesus admonition, “ You are the light of the world…let your
light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your
Father in heaven” (Matthew 5: 14-16).
So perhaps the proper question is not “What next?” but rather “What
now?”