Life can be overwhelming. For our family right now, there are a lot of plates in the air...as I'm sure is the case for many of you as well. Sometimes it's the little things that get neglected because we are focusing so much on what is coming up or the big picture of what has to get done. Sometimes some of the burdens consume us with worry, doubt, fear, stress, anxiety, or anger. I believe that the enemy uses these tools to take our focus off our real job here on earth which is to take care of each other and help others know that God loves them.
This week as I read my daily email from Proverbs 31 ministries, there was one quote that really jumped out at me. It has become such a "mantra" for me this week I had to write about it. Elisabeth Elliot, wife of Jim Elliot, is quoted as saying "just do the next thing" and God will take care of the rest. Jim and Elisabeth went as missionaries to live among a remote tribe of people to share the gospel with them. It wasn't long before Jim was attacked and killed by this very same tribe. Other missionaries from the Elliot's ministry in the states were inspired to go, sacrificing their own lives to try to reach this tribe with the gospel. Eventually Elisabeth herself returned with her son to show them that God is a forgiving and loving God and TODAY this entire tribe has turned from their violent ways and given themselves up for Christ. It's amazing what God can do through a few dedicated people!
Now, for me, to hear Elisabeth Elliot say that she can in faith "just do the next thing", that is profound. I'm a big picture person so I am always making long-term plans and I'm not always great about seeing the details. I like to be "visionary" and think of possibilities...we could do this, or we could do that. I'm not always great at the "here and now" and what's realistic to get it done...that's what I married Tom for :) He keeps me grounded! BUT, to realize that a woman like Elisabeth Elliot, after all she's been through, can still say let's "just do the next thing" and God will take care of the rest...it's very inspiring.
The next thing for me might be to take the kids to school or return a phone call or eat something. I've realized in the last couple weeks that if I will ask God "what is the next thing I need to be doing?", he answers me. I'm notorious for making my "to do" list and immediately getting overwhelmed with all the things that HAVE to get done in a day. If I will stop and ask God to show me "the next thing" instead of trying to prioritize by myself, I have more peace about the steps that I take, knowing that God is going ahead of me to work it out.
We have a lot of choices and decisions ahead in our family right now. Between adopting, doing ministry, and facing educational and family challenges, there are many reasons to get overwhelmed. We are stepping into parenting not just adopted children, but adopted children that have been taken away from their birth parents who weren't making good choices. In the coming weeks 1 or 2 children will be joining our family and life will become about "doing the next thing." Because we haven't even seen their faces or know anything about them yet, it is easy to imagine the worst case scenario and get overwhelmed with what we might be facing. But we also know that we are on the path God wants us on and so we have to make the choice to move forward, one step at a time.
Ben Stuart spoke today at our church on a similar topic...having integrity to do the right thing, even when it's hard. He said that some will say that trusting God with the details is crazy, especially when you have been hurt by someone or are facing big challenges. Our society says to get out there and take care of it! Someone said that God is in the details and so we can trust Him to take care our burdens. Why do we think that the creator of the universe does not SEE what's going on in our lives, that He can't see the big picture and make the puzzle pieces fit. Why do we think we can do a better job than Him?
These next couple of weeks for us will be filled with school getting out and summer fun, as well as lots of decisions. WE will be praying that we can allow God to take care of the details so that we can be obedient and just "do the next thing." I pray this for each of you as well. May your summer be full and rich with many blessings!
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