Casting Crowns “The Very Next Thing” (Devotional #2)
BIG THINGS FOR GOD
Whenever most believers read through Scripture, most of us grasp it, take it to heart, and believe it. WeΓÇÖre just not sure where our lives meet up with it.
For instance, I know I need to trust God with my life. ThatΓÇÖs a big, giant concept. I know I need to be a leaderΓÇöbut IΓÇÖm not always sure what that means. I know I need to be on fire, I need to be all in, I need to do whatever it takes, I need to cross the line, and I know I need to measure up to all of these huge slogans we hear.
We all believe it and we all want it. WeΓÇÖre just not sure what weΓÇÖre supposed to do with it. WeΓÇÖre not sure what following God looks like from where we are. We have an idea of this awesome walk with Jesus out there somewhere, but weΓÇÖre looking for the bridge to get over to it. Exactly what does following Jesus look like?
ItΓÇÖs just doing the very next thing he says. The. Very. Next. Thing. Serving God isnΓÇÖt this giant dream about something that will happen a year from now. ItΓÇÖs not a goal heΓÇÖs going to have you fulfill in a month. ItΓÇÖs right now.
ΓÇ£Big things for GodΓÇ¥ is not something you do after you graduate or move on to the next position or get a promotion. ΓÇ£Big things for GodΓÇ¥ is the person sitting next to you right now. God put breath in your lungs to sit next to that person right now, and you can do something right now.
The very next thing is the act of kindness you put off last week. Do it nowΓÇöall in the name of Jesus. ItΓÇÖs the phone call you need to make, the note you need to send, the meal you need to provide, the pat on the back you need to give, the hard work you need to put in, the hospital visit you need to make, the bill you need to pay, the Scripture you need to quote in love, the forgiveness you need to grant, the forgiveness you need to seek.
We can make a relationship with Jesus too complicated by dwelling on nonessentials. Following God is just the very next word of love that you need to speak to somebody, to the very next broken heart that needs to be encouraged. Ministry isnΓÇÖt limited to Sundays. ItΓÇÖs not on a stage or with certain gifts by certain people with certain personalities and a microphone. ItΓÇÖs you, where you are, doing the next thing God tells you to do.
