Do The Next Thing

I listened for years to "Gateway to Joy", with Elizabeth Elliott. Wife Jim Elliott. She often refereed to poem, "Do The Next Thing". I always liked the poem, but in the last six years have found it to be a necessary boost to my daily living:

Do The Next Thing

*

Well, from an old English parsonage,

down by the sea

There came in the twilight

a message to me;

It's a quaint Saxon legend,

deeply engraven,

Hath, as it seems to me,

teaching from heaven.

And on through the hours

the quiet words ring

Like a low inspiration--

"DO THE NEXT THING!"

*

Many a questioning, many fear,

Many a doubt,

hath its quieting here.

Moment by moment,

let down from Heaven,

Time, opportunity, guidance,

are given.

Fear not tomorrows,

Child of the King,

Trust them 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 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, Strong in His faithfulness,

praise and sing,

Then, as He beckons thee,

"DO THE NEXT THING"

*

*

Altho' the English is old, there seems to be an added strength to the meaning, trust it

encourages and lifts someone else along this journey.