What do we do now?
In a previous post, I mentioned that we’ve been watching lots of movies together as a family during this time of social distancing. Well, Disney released Frozen 2 early, and my eight-year-old has watched it several times so far. One theme that jumped out at me as I watched it with her was a phrase that’s repeated throughout the movie. “Do the next right thing” is a phrase (and even a song). And before you ask, no, I won’t sing it! You would not enjoy that…trust me. If you haven’t heard the song, click here.
I’ve heard many people on social media asking the question “What do we do now?” While I usually don’t turn to Disney movies for life advice, this one actually makes sense! What we should be doing now really isn’t different from what we should have been doing before. Does it feel different? Absolutely! But God’s call on our lives to be faithful, wise, gracious, and full of integrity has not changed. What is the “right thing” that’s before you today? It doesn’t matter if you are a CEO, a factory worker, a stay at home mom, a student out of school, or if you were laid off in the last few days…this question still applies. Ask the Lord to show you what the next right thing is, and then do it in obedience to the Lord. The next right thing could include playing with your kids, spending time with your spouse, helping a neighbor, or making hard decisions about your family’s financial choices.
Integrity matters. I’ve read so much online about people who seem to be willing to set their integrity aside in order to get whatever they think it is that they need at the time. They are willing to do the wrong thing if it suits their end game. May we never be those people. May we be people who trust in the Lord and live in a way to honor Him in all circumstances.
I love how the Scriptures are alive and active. There are so many passages that are incredibly relevant in our situation today. I leave you with a few passages to challenge and encourage you today.
“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”–James 3:13-17
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble on its own.” – Matthew 6:31-34
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It has no fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
