In our Christian lives, often, we are anxious about our future and what direction the Lord may want us to take. Consider this hypothetical but very typical conversation between two Christian friends:

“Josh, I’ve been in this state for the better part of three years. I feel like I am spinning my wheels when it comes to knowing the Lord’s will for my life. Every single day, I’m not joking – every single day, I ask Him to show me what He wants me to do next and, yes, where He wants me to be in the future. But nothing, absolutely nothing, is the response. The wheels of my life are stopped, and I’m up against a wall about going further. It sounds irreverent, but I’m frustrated.”

“Well, Brad, I’m no theologian or expert when it comes to figuring out God’s will either. There are days when I, too, find it a struggle. I wonder if sometimes we are overly concerned about the future when the Lord wants us to focus on the now. To God, I must sound like a broken record. He hears the same thing from me every day: “Lord, what next or where to from here?”  When reading in Numbers Chapter 9, I think a light came on for me. Rather than continually asking God about what’s next, He’d rather hear me ask: what now?”

And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped… As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp… Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses. Numbers 9:17-23

Do you think the people of Israel did nothing productive while they waited to see where the Lord would lead them next with His cloud? Were they somewhat frozen in time while they waited – immobilized and unable to do anything productive or fulfilling because of the uncertainty over the next move God would have for them? Or did they busy themselves each day with what needed to be done right then and there?

Yes, they understood the Lord might move them tomorrow, but that was the Lord’s business and His agenda. When the time came, He had his way of making sure they moved on. Their responsibility was to do what needed to be done ‘here and now.’

All too often, we spin our wheels, preoccupied and almost singularly focused on what God’s will is for our future. We become frustrated or even bitter waiting for what is next.

Have you ever thought about leaving ‘what’s next’ to God and focusing on what you could and should be doing for Him right here and right now? When He wants you to move on, He has umpteen dozen ways to nudge you forward. But until He makes it obvious by lifting His cloud, then content yourself with fully doing His will here and now. Give 110 percent of yourself in doing His will where He has you right now, and leave the future to Him.

Submitting and surrendering and obeying and doing His will right now happens long before discovering His will about what’s next.

Ask: “What now?” Not – what’s next?

Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience or a verse that has been a blessing to you –  in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.