Focus On The Next Step: Grace For Today

It has been a whirlwind few months for me. Between scheduled church events, unscheduled ones, planning meetings, hospital visits and counseling sessions and special services, a lot has gone on! Each one a pleasure to serve as a minister in, but of course a reminder of a need to pace myself. I may be a pastor, but like you I can feel a little overwhelmed from time to time. God of course in his grace gives us provision for these moments (See my past sermon titled "Beyond Capacity" on our YouTube page). But when they come, it's not only important for us to remember he will meet us in it, but for us also to focus on what lies ahead of us today.

As I spend time counseling people, I run into all kinds of needs that arise. From helping a family member work through the initial stages of their loved ones death, to talking through childhood trauma with a troubled brother in the faith, to encouraging a sister as she fights addictions, the subjects are wide ranging and can be deeply challenging. But as I sit, listen and share, I find myself coming back to an important reminder over and over again. Somewhere in ministering to them, I will remind them to "focus on the next step." A reminder I have to give myself in the busy season too.

Because when we feel overwhelmed, the next step can vary. Maybe for that mourning one, it's just focusing on going through dad's old clothes. And for that brother, it's dwelling on a verse about forgiveness until he believes it. And for that sister, it's learning to get outside on a stroll to help fight off concentrating on the temptation. Whatever wisdom would say it may be, focusing on the next thing helps us to make progress, to get things done, and to not find ourselves crippled by all that must be done.

Well as any good pastor should (hopefully I'm one of those!), I didn't just pull that out of thin air. Matthew 6:34 reminds us "34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Here Jesus is reminding his followers that there is enough to do today to occupy us. When we concentrate on tomorrow's work as well, we bring down upon ourselves twice the amount of focus we are even capable of having. That leads to stress, anger, being overwhelmed and all kinds of other things. 

Instead the call we are given is to trust Him. That he already has tomorrow managed, so for now, we focus on the next thing we need to do, and we do it well and faithfully. When tomorrow's thoughts come, we briefly note what must be noted, but move right back to today. Worshipping Jesus as we work, serve, prepare, heal and process. As we do the next thing.

These current days of busyness will pass for me soon, and I hope the challenges of your day will too. As we work to do the next thing, we are reminded we aren't alone. Our church family is here to help us, encourage us and walk with us. I want to encourage you not to miss the opportunity to be together noted in this newsletter. From fall ministries kicking off, to our service day coming up, be sure to come be a part as well pray, love and walk together!

See you there!