do the next thing

“When you have a great and difficult task, something perhaps almost impossible, if you only work a little at a time, every day a little, suddenly the work will finish itself.” ~ Isak Dinesen

“Wisdom consists not so much in knowing what to do in the ultimate as knowing what to do next.” ~ Herbert Hoover

Years ago Elisabeth Elliot taught Do The Next Thing. This principle is helpful to me, because I often feel lost and don’t know just what it is I should be doing. Also, I’m a better thinker than a doer. So I carefully, even fretfully, think out the perfect plans. My follow through, however, is far from perfect. Doing feels good, but I have a hard time just get going. I’ve heard it’s easier to steer a moving ship. If that is true, I need to get moving and trust that God will guide me.

Do The Next Thing (a poem Elisabeth Elliot quoted)

At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
there came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
that, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
like a low inspiration, ‘Do the next thing.’

Many a questioning, many a fear,
many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
time, opportunity, guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrow, child of the King,
trust that with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer,
do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
leave all resultings, do the next thing.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
working or suffering be thy demeanor,
in His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
the light of His countenance, be thy psalm.
Do the next thing.